Our guest today is Sarah Chen-Spellings, an award-winning entrepreneur and investor. She co-founded Beyond The Billion, a global consortium of over 100 venture funds and investors committed to investing over $1 billion in women-founded companies. Sarah's extensive experience includes corporate venture capital within a $13 billion conglomerate, cross-border investments, and leadership roles in organizations like 131 & Counting and Lean In Malaysia, where she accelerates women into leadership roles and promotes women's participation in politics. In our conversation today, we delve into Sarah's remarkable journey, which began at the age of nine when she became a national TV host, setting the stage for an inspiring life trajectory. Her innate ability to rise to the occasion is evident as she opens up about her father's passing, a pivotal moment that led her to step into the family business at the tender age of 21 while navigating the depths of grief. Sarah draws inspiration from her emotions and grief, channeling them into her career. She also shares how she accidentally became a feminist, ultimately sparking her deep passion to see a rise in women in leadership roles. Sarah highlights how two recurring themes, venture capital and women in leadership, spurred the founding of the Beyond the Billion fund. To hear more about the barriers holding women back from leadership positions and an encouraging word from Sarah, be sure not to miss out on this episode. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Chen-Spellings
Sarah Chen-Spellings on LinkedIn
Sarah Chen-Spellings on X
Sarah Chen-Spellings on Instagram
Billion Dollar Moves
I Carry Your Heart with Me by E.E. Cummings
Ashley Menzies Babatunde
Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:
If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!