#42 – Jane Megown: How a House Fire Ignited Success

In this episode of The She Lift Project, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Jane Megown, President and Owner of Elastizell, who shares her remarkable journey from a career in marketing to leading a construction company specializing in lightweight cellular concrete. Jane’s company is behind critical infrastructure projects, often unseen but essential, such as filling spaces under stadiums and bridges with lightweight, custom-formulated concrete. Despite entering the male-dominated construction field with no prior experience, Jane credits her success to values she learned early on from her father: honesty, integrity, and putting people first.

Jane’s path was far from linear—she initially avoided construction, only to be drawn back in due to a series of life-altering events, including a devastating house fire. The fire not only tested her resilience but also prompted her to re-enter the workforce, leading to her eventual ownership of Elastizell. Jane’s leadership philosophy centers on transparency, teamwork, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains. Her ability to build trust through honesty, even when it meant admitting she didn’t know all the answers, has been key to her success. Through her story, Jane offers inspiration on how to navigate career pivots, embrace challenges, and turn hardships into opportunities for growth.

#41: Sylvia Owens: Basketball & Boardrooms

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick in a deeply inspiring conversation with Sylvia Owens, the Director IT Revenue Cycle Systems at BJC Healthcare. With over 27 years of experience in healthcare, 18 of them in IT, Sylvia shares her incredible journey from growing up in East St. Louis to playing professional basketball in Europe and eventually transitioning

#40 – Debi Corrie: Failures Fuel Future Success

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Debi Corrie, founder of Acumaxum, a strategic CFO company that specializes in helping businesses optimize cash flow, scale, and drive profitability. Debi shares her journey from accounting to becoming a pivotal force in helping small businesses break through barriers, navigate

#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

#38 – Sara Stock: Making a Bold Career Pivot

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Sara Stock, a dynamic business owner and legal expert who has redefined what it means to balance a thriving career with the demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Sara shares her journey from working in a prestigious law firm to venturing