In this powerful feature on women redefining leadership, Adriana Cowdin—CEO of Be Bold Executive Coaching—reflects on how trailblazing founders Gina Gotthilf and Leah Solivan have shaped her perspective on resilience, purpose, and progress. As a Latina executive and entrepreneur, Adriana shares her own experience navigating barriers and embracing bold action in the face of perfectionism. Inspired by these leaders’ ability to solve real-world problems and uplift underserved communities, Adriana emphasizes the importance of building meaningful careers, not just landing roles. Her contribution offers a compelling reminder that true leadership is about breaking through limitations, defying expectations, and using your voice to create impact.
Gina Gotthilf and Leah Solivan Defied Odds
I’m inspired by Gina Gotthilf and Leah Solivan, two trailblazing entrepreneurs who beat the odds by solving real problems and paving the way for others. As a Latina Jewish woman, I’ve faced the triple headwind of being a woman, a racial minority, and part of a historically persecuted religion as have both of these highly successful women.
Gina co-founded Latitud, a platform that helps Latin American entrepreneurs scale their businesses despite systemic barriers, while Leah built TaskRabbit, revolutionizing the gig economy before it was even a thing. They didn’t wait for permission or perfection—they just built.
Like them, I’ve battled the paralysis of perfection, but I’ve learned that progress before perfection leads to profit. Gina’s commitment to supporting underestimated founders reminds me why I donate a percentage of our profits to organizations that uplift underserved communities. And like Leah, who saw an unmet need in how people outsource tasks, I focus on solving real-world problems—helping people not just land jobs but build lasting, impactful careers.
Making it in business takes more than just grit for women like us—it’s about defying expectations, breaking through barriers, and proving we belong in spaces that weren’t designed for us. That’s the mindset I bring to my work every day, and I’m here to make sure more of us do exactly that.
