What I really got out of working with Joya is the confidence. Before, I'd let let my work speak for itself and be quiet in meetings, but I watched other people take credit. I got frustrated because I do need the recognition to keep motivated. Now I speak for my work and get recognized as the subject matter expert. I wasn’t just “prepping for TED.” I stepped into a new level of executive presence.

Joya delivered such a thoughtful, relatable, and engaging presentation on the topic, ‘What do I say to someone I haven’t seen in 15 years?’ Her insight and empathy made me reflect on the power of reconnection and the small but meaningful ways we can bridge time and distance. I particularly appreciated how she suggested that weaving humor into the conversation can not only break the ice but also ease even the most awkward exchanges and potentially lead to more substantitve discussions. It was a true gift to learn from a fellow alumna who speaks with both wisdom and a generous heart. Thank you, Joya, for sharing your talents and expertise with fellow alumni!

In an effort to connect with fellow alumni, I attended an inspiring workshop by Joya for our upcoming college reunion. Joya offered a thoughtfully designed flow, making the session interactive. She posed challenging questions to participants, asking us to face our fears about seeing old friends and to reframe the stories we tell ourselves. She also peppered in her own personal anecdotes, lending a relatable touch to the materials. Although I am unable to attend the reunion, I still found the session helpful and thought provoking. I’ve come away with the inspiration and confidence to bring my authentic self into both professional and personal settings. Thank you, Joya!

As a leader of Women in Tech at Stanford Healthcare, I have a front row seat on what women leaders in digital are struggling with. How do I share my brand in 15 seconds or less? How do I socialize it when I'm in front of different audiences? How do I even create a personal brand and know that it's working? and most importantly, Why do I even need a personal brand? Joya hosted a workshop Dec 3rd (from Paris!) for a 100 leaders and shared exercises to help answer these questions. It was fast paced. Actionable. It helped our students think critically about what sets them apart in a competitive workplace where their narratives will be written for them, if they don't write it first.

As a leader of Women in Tech at Stanford, I have a front row seat on what women leaders in technology facing fields are struggling with. How do I share my brand in 15 seconds or less? How do I socialize it when I'm in front of different audiences? How do I even create a personal brand and know that it's working? and most importantly, Why do I even need a personal brand? I asked Joya to host a workshop Dec 3rd. She shared exercises to help answer these questions. It was fast paced. Actionable. It helped our students think critically about what sets them apart in a competitive workplace where their narratives will be written for them, if they don't write it first.

Joya's expertise and the supportive network she has built have been game-changers for me. In 2024, I learned how to dial into my “ikigai,” the intersection of what I stand for, what I am good at, what the world needs and what I can be paid for. Over the year, I learned how to weave my strengths and passions into my work —both short term and long term. My membership reminded me: I am not alone in this journey. I met women leaders from different industries and walks of life. Yet, we are all dealing with the same issues. Shesuite offered up community for me. The monthly roundtables were my “think out loud time” Joya writes a ton of content. Her posts and newsletters, post discussion, would drive the learnings home for me. She has a tool in her arsenal for every issue we posed - and now we have these tools for a lifetime. Thank you Joya.

"As a member of Stanford WIT+, we initially struggled to grasp the concept of creating a personal brand and why it was so important. The workshop completely transformed our understanding. It provided us with practical tools and insights on building a brand that reflects our career goals, aligns with the environments we want to thrive in, and is driven by our passions. The session was eye-opening and empowering, giving our community the confidence to present ourselves authentically and strategically in our professional journeys. We're so grateful for this invaluable experience!”

As the Director of Events and Experience at Bucknell, I’m always looking for ways to help our alumni feel more connected to the University and each other, especially as they prepare to come back for Reunion. I’ve heard from alumni who say they’re hesitant to return because they haven’t kept in touch with classmates and worry it might feel awkward. And I get it. So often we want to do things like attend a Reunion or reach out to someone we haven’t spoken to in 15 years but we don’t always have the tools or even the mindset, to make that move. That’s why I was excited when Joya proposed this session as a way to help alumni get Reunion-ready. I appreciated the work she put into her presentation. It was clear she had thoughtfully designed every minute. She made it interactive, got the audience involved, and kept the energy up throughout. In just 30 action-packed minutes, she shared tools that helped shift our thinking. She guided us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves, those quiet narratives that often hold us back and gave us practical, approachable conversation starters. But the biggest thing I took away, is our everyday lives are enough. The things we do, think about, read, or experience daily can all be great entry points for conversation anytime, anywhere. I am thankful I was able to work with her. Thanks and please let me know if you would like me to condense it. Thank you for working with us!

So often we want to do things, like attend a reunion or engage someone we haven't spoken to in 15 years, but we don't have the mindset to reach out confidently. Joya offered an action packed 30 minutes of tools that helped our college reunion audience. She invited us to dig deep, and understand what stories we might be telling ourselves. Now we are prepared to initiate conversations with confidence and interest. My takeaway is that these tips can be fodder for a personal or professional conversation. Thank you, Joya, for sharing your expertise and practical insights with us!

I’ve always thought of Dior as catering to the “ladies who lunch” set and to see generations of designs that appeal beyond that usual haute couture audience (and there were dresses I’d kill to wear), was quite a pleasant surprise.  Van Cleef tapped into recognizing the necessary work of art, and quite frankly comforted me as I work to research my Substack posts and my book. It was fun too in seeing which tasks came more naturally to me and the others that required work. Both had their own rewards.  The photos are a visual reminder of the beauty of the women and our experiences together in Paris. 

My biggest takeaway: International travel is what I imagine time travel to be. I'm transported to another dimension that allows me to look more objectively at myself, my goals and more fully imagine new possibilities

I was expecting to have breakthroughs, but I was surprised at how much confidence I gained through the experiences and the relationships I forged.

I learned that my vulnerable stories are worth sharing, and I will be more intentional about bringing my whole self into my work life.

I also reconnected with the joy of creative pursuits and plan to find space in my professional and personal life to appreciate beauty for the sheer pleasure of it.

My biggest takeaway from Joya's "Deep Writing and Reflection Retreat" was that location can stoke creativity. Inspiration can be found outside of my comfort zone. Courage can be ignited with when you reserve time alone.

What was I expecting: Joya's brand and logistics planning is so on point. I knew the retreat would be a carefully crafted experience, complete with unique elements and class.

What surprised me: I enjoyed the private tour of the Galerie Dior much more than I expected; I'm not a fashionista, nor am I a brand name dropper - but his life, overcoming challenges, short tenure (he was creative director for only 10 years, dying at 52), branding, craftsmanship, legacy - all helped me realize what a gift my daily life is.

What did I learn about myself: I've not lost who I am. She's still there. Despite the hurdles, caretaking, daily demands. She just needed a nudge, some good Paris chocolates, and a reminder.

What will I take back into life: My journey looks different than most. Both in my leadership and in my personal struggles, but that's okay.   I don't have to conform to some 'canned role' of what leadership looks like.  The lesson about fashion and icons. Each Creative Director that succeeded Dior was a rebel in his or her own right - taking their vision, blending it with the legacy of Dior. They weren't afraid. They overcame obstacles.