The mission of Amplify Her® Foundation is to support women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers. Our podcast, If She Can Make It Here, celebrates the innovative, bold and resilient women leading across New York City, like New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Gloria Steinem, Ai-jen Poo and Reshma Saujani, who build pathways, shift narratives, and transform systems to advance gender equity.
Between feature episodes, If She Can Make It Here spotlights stories from Amplify Her® Foundation’s grantee partners revealing how innovation, from STEM education to entrepreneurship, fuels long-term impact. If She Can Make It Here is hosted by Amplify Her® Foundation Founder & Executive Director, Marti Speranza Wong and is produced by Hangar Studios.
Seeds of Fortune Founder and Executive Director Nitiya Walker shares how financial literacy, college access, and mentorship can transform the futures of young women. From helping students fund college to building confidence, careers, and generational wealth, Seeds of Fortune proves that even a small investment can spark lasting change.
Credits:
Hosted by Amplify Her Foundation
Executive produced by Amplify Her Foundation
Produced by Jennifer Chernicky of Hangar Studios
Post-production by Rich Cerbini and Max Solomon of Hangar Studios
Artwork by Indie184
26 Aug 2026
Attorney General Letitia James: Fighting for Justice and Accountability
In this episode of If She Can Make It Here New York State Attorney General Letitia James joins host Marti Speranza Wong for a candid conversation about representation and what it takes to create lasting change. Attorney General James reflects on the women and communities who shaped her path to public service, the fight for pay equity, the importance of enforcing workplace protections, and why women need to step into leadership before they feel completely ready. She also shares the personal moment that helped clarify her decision to run for Attorney General and the legacy she hopes to leave behind: fearless leadership rooted in service to others. The episode also features remarks from Attorney General Letitia James at Amplify Her Foundation’s launch in 2023, where she challenges women to use their voices, invest in the next generation, and turn opportunity into lasting progress.
Credits:
Hosted by Amplify Her Foundation
Executive produced by Amplify Her Foundation
Produced by Jennifer Chernicky of Hangar Studios
Recorded by Jess Penzetta of Hangar Studios
Post-production by Rich Cerbini and Max Solomon of Hangar Studios
Artwork by Indie184
30 Jul 2026
Grantee Partner Spotlight: New Yorkers United for Childcare
What happens when one mom refuses to accept New York’s child care crisis? Rebecca Bailin, Founder and Executive Director of New Yorkers United for Childcare, built a 10,000-parent movement, helped save universal 3-K, and made child care a defining political issue in NYC's recent election. Hear how determined women are turning frustration into action and reshaping the future for working families.
Credits:
Hosted by Amplify Her Foundation
Executive produced by Amplify Her Foundation
Produced by Jennifer Chernicky of Hangar Studios
Recorded by Jess Penzetta of Hangar Studios
Post-production by Rich Cerbini and Max Solomon of Hangar Studios
Artwork by Indie184
30 Jul 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul: Leading with Empathy and Courage
In this episode of If She Can Make It Here, Governor Kathy Hochul reflects on the experiences that shaped her path from a childhood in a working class family to becoming New York’s first woman elected governor. She shares the moment she stopped waiting for permission to lead, why confidence is often the biggest barrier women face, and how motherhood has influenced her leadership style.
Governor Hochul also discusses her vision for affordable childcare, creating more opportunities for women in STEM, and the importance of building a state where women can thrive. Packed with candid stories, practical leadership advice, and an inspiring call to raise your hand before you feel ready, this conversation is a reminder that real change begins when you believe you belong at the table.
Credits:
Hosted by Amplify Her Foundation
Executive produced by Amplify Her Foundation
Produced by Jennifer Chernicky of Hangar Studios
Recorded by Jess Penzetta of Hangar Studios
Post-production by Rich Cerbini and Max Solomon of Hangar Studios
Artwork by Indie184
11 Feb 2026
Grantee Partner Spotlight: Lower Eastside Girls Club
Welcome to Amplify Her Foundation’s 'If She Can Make It Here’ podcast. This grantee partner spotlight features Shyvonne Sanganoo, the Senior Manager of Youth Leadership & Pathways at Lower Eastside Girls Club.
The discussion highlights the Lower Eastside Girls Club's mission to connect young women throughout New York City to successful futures through free, innovative year-round programming and mentorship.
Links:Learn more about Amplify Her Foundation:
https://amplifyherfoundation.org/
LES Girls Club:
https://www.girlsclub.org/
Credits:Hosted by Amplify Her FoundationExecutive produced by Amplify Her FoundationProduced by Arielle Nissenblatt of Pinwheel StudiosPost-production by David Woje of Pinwheel StudiosArtwork by Indie18
In this episode of Amplify Her Foundation's If She Can Make It Here podcast, host Marti Speranza Wong sits down with Reshma Saujani for a candid conversation on her work and career as a tireless champion for women and girls. Saujani is the Founder of Girls Who Code and the Founder & CEO of Moms First.
Their conversation touches on the roots of her leadership, the systems that hold women back, and the ways she wants to see America’s culture and policies shift to make life better for working mothers.
Reshma has built a career around bold reinvention — from early career to a run for public office in New York City, to founding Girls Who Code and becoming a leading voice on the gender gap in tech. Her New York Times bestselling book, Brave, Not Perfect, challenged women to move beyond perfectionism and lead with courage. During the pandemic, her experience as a working mother exposed the cracks in America’s care system, prompting her to found Moms First, a national movement advocating for paid leave and affordable, accessible child care.
More on Amplify Her® Foundation
The mission of Amplify Her® Foundation is to support women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers. Our podcast, If She Can Make It Here, celebrates the innovative, bold and resilient women leading across New York City, like Ai-jen Poo and Reshma Saujani, who build pathways, shift narratives, and transform systems to advance gender equity.
Credits
Hosted and executive produced by Marti Speranza Wong
Artwork by Indie184
Recorded at Gotham Production Studios
Timestamps
[00:00:00] Welcome and Reshma’s leadership journey
[00:01:00] Choosing bravery over perfection
[00:06:00] Making coding cool for girls
[00:13:00] Why childcare is gender equity
[00:31:00] Reclaiming power in midlife
3 Dec 2025
Grantee Partner Spotlight: Full STEAM Forward
Welcome to Amplify Her Foundation’s 'If She Can Make It Here’ podcast. This grantee partner spotlight features Full STEAM Forward. Host Maia Molina-Schaefer is joined by Jacquie Horgan, VP of Education at Full STEAM Forward, and 13-year-old program participant Kayla Douyon.
The discussion highlights Full STEAM Forward's mission to engage and support young girls in STEM, the importance of breaking stereotypes, and the transformative impact on these future leaders.
Links:
Learn more about Amplify Her Foundation
Credits:
Hosted by Maia Molina-Schaefer
Research by Nicole Jakabcsin
Executive produced by Marti Speranza Wong
Produced by Arielle Nissenblatt of Pinwheel Studios
Post-production by David Woje of Pinwheel Studios
Artwork by Indie184
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to 'If She Can Make It Here'
00:45 Spotlight on Full STEAM Forward
01:17 Meet the Guests: Jacquie Horgan and Kayla Douyon
01:33 Ice Breaker
01:53 Jacquie's Journey and Full STEAM Forward's Mission
03:14 Kayla's Experience
04:11 The Transformation Process in STEM Education
05:43 Family Support and Mentorship
06:09 Ripple Effects and Future Leaders
07:20 Key Takeaways and Inspirational Moments
08:19 Conclusion and What's Next
21 Oct 2025
Ai-jen Poo: Championing Care & Gender Justice
In this inaugural episode, we sit down with Ai-jen Poo, Co-founder and President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Co-founder and Executive Director of Caring Across Generations.
Ai-jen shares what fuels her fight for care equity and the lessons she’s learned as she built a movement from grassroots organizing in New York to transformative national policy change.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to If She Can Make It Here
00:24 Meet Ai-jen Poo: A Visionary Leader
11:26 The Sandwich Generation Challenge
13:55 Advocating for Domestic Workers
15:46 Building Inclusive Workplace Cultures
18:06 Supermajority: Women as a Powerful Voting Block
22:22 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
24:40 The Unique Spirit of New York
26:12 A Vision for the Future of Caregiving
27:48 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps
More on Ai-jen Poo
She is a nationally-recognized expert on caregiving, the future of work, and what’s at stake for women of color. She is the author of the celebrated book, “The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America,” and co-host of the podcast “Sunstorm” with Alicia Garza.
More on Amplify Her® Foundation
The mission of Amplify Her® Foundation is to support women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers. Our podcast, If She Can Make It Here, celebrates the innovative, bold and resilient women leading across New York City, like Ai-jen Poo and Reshma Saujani, who build pathways, shift narratives, and transform systems to advance gender equity.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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