#39 – Shalia Ford: Transforming Trauma Into Triumph

In this powerful episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick is joined by Shalia Ford, a seasoned leader and director of leadership programs at Focus St. Louis. Together, they dive into Shalia’s inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a community leader who empowers women and youth to discover their true potential. Shalia shares profound insights on personal growth, the importance of self-reflection, and the courage to choose yourself.

The conversation explores themes of transformation, healing, and the significance of building supportive communities among women. Shalia’s story is a testament to the strength that comes from embracing your own power and purpose, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their own path to leadership and fulfillment.

#82 – Twists of Fate Build a Lasting Legacy

This week Cynthia sits down with Farica Chang, managing partner of Anderson Technologies and founder of Anderson Archival, two St. Louis businesses built around helping people protect what matters most. Farica opens up about the unplanned turns that shaped her path, from a temporary contract job to running a growing company, and the deeply personal

#81 – The Plan Your Family Needs: Jennifer Belmont Jennings

Joining Cynthia this episode is Jennifer Belmont Jennings, an estate planning attorney at MGD Law in St. Louis and a former wealth advisor who has spent her career bridging the legal and financial sides of people’s lives. Their conversation moves through the winding, sometimes discouraging path that shaped Jennifer’s career, the mindset shifts that carried

#80 – Saying Yes to Adventure – Aoifinn Devitt

This week Cynthia is joined by Aoifinn Devitt, a senior member of Moneta’s Global Wealth team and a longtime voice in international finance. Aoifinn shares her journey across continents, industries, and life stages, from bold early adventures to major career pivots. It’s a conversation full of honesty, humor, and hard won wisdom. This episode is

#79 – Holly Breuer – A Culture Built to Prosper

Holly Breuer is the founder of Prosper CPAs, a St. Louis accounting firm she launched in 2022. It started with a simple question: could you build a firm that provided elite-level service to business owners while also being a genuinely great place to work? Holly spent twenty years in public accounting, including time at large