#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.

#72 – Beth Gunter: Find Your People And Build Your Best Life

Beth Gunter joins Cynthia Kirkpatrick on the She Lift Project Podcast to share her journey from building a network from scratch to becoming Chief Revenue Officer and partner at Spry Digital. She is a sales leader, community builder, and founder of the One Degree of Separation networking event, known for helping professionals form real relationships

#71 – Sally Schwarz: Her Mom Said Go, And She Never Stopped

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia talks with Sally Schwarz, a retired emeritus professor of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis and a global leader in nuclear pharmacy. Sally built a groundbreaking career in radiopharmaceutical science, regulatory leadership, and international medical innovation while helping shape the future of nuclear medicine.

#70 – Alison Niermann: Stop Extinguishing Your Spark at Work

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Alison Niermann, founder and CEO of Tilley Partners. Alison is an executive recruiter and leadership advisor who helps organizations hire the right people and build teams that actually work. They talk about how to recognize your true professional value, how great

#69 – Melissa Gragg: How to Win High-Stakes Negotiations

In this episode of The She Lift Project, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Melissa Gragg of Bridge Valuation Partners for a deep dive into what it really takes to win high-stakes negotiations. From complex business sales and mergers to high-net-worth divorces and closed mediations, Melissa shares how her background in business valuation, forensic accounting, expert