Rewriting the Narrative: How Julie Castro Abrams is Shaping the Future of Women in Leadership and Investment
Julie Castro Abrams
Julie Castro Abrams isn’t just leading a movement—she’s dismantling the very frameworks that have held women back for decades. As CEO of How Women Lead and How Women Invest, Julie has dedicated her career to amplifying women’s voices, ensuring their economic power, and fostering a community of women leaders who are breaking barriers together.
In this episode of Badass Women in Business, Julie unpacks the deeply ingrained societal narratives that continue to limit women’s potential and shares practical strategies for overcoming these hurdles. With a network of 25,000 women, she is at the forefront of one of the most pivotal shifts in business leadership and investment.
A Life Stage of Transformation: Middle Essence
Julie introduces a fascinating concept she calls “middle essence,” a life stage between the mid-40s and 70s. For women in this phase, the focus shifts from individual career achievement to collective impact. This is the generation that has broken glass ceilings, amassed operational expertise, and now holds 52% of the nation’s wealth.
What makes middle essence unique is the developmental need for connection, mentorship, and purpose. Julie has harnessed this drive to create a powerful network of women who not only support one another but also drive systemic change in leadership and investment.
Undoing Cultural Narratives
From boardrooms to business ventures, women often grapple with self-limiting beliefs—stories they’ve internalized since childhood. Julie emphasizes that unlearning these narratives is key to unlocking potential.
“Even the most accomplished women—public company directors, C-suite leaders—doubt themselves,” Julie shares. “It’s cultural. We all believe something someone said when we were eight.”
Her advice? Look at the evidence, challenge those limiting beliefs, and rewrite your story. It’s a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t innate; it’s built by dismantling false narratives and replacing them with truths.
Women as Catalysts for Change
Julie’s initiatives are rewriting the playbook for leadership and investment. She shares how increasing women’s representation on corporate boards isn’t just good for equity—it’s good for business. Companies with diverse boards experience better financial performance, faster product recalls, and smarter decision-making.
The same goes for investment. Julie explains that women are natural investors, often outperforming men because of their risk-aware strategies. However, systemic bias in venture capital continues to exclude women. In 2023, only 1.8% of venture funding went to women-led companies. Julie’s mission is clear: disrupt these systems by mobilizing women as both investors and founders.
Her bold initiatives, such as the #GetOnBoard campaign and The New Table, are creating pathways for women to influence corporate decisions and redirect capital flows.
Practical Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Julie’s episode is packed with actionable insights:
When to Seek Venture Capital: Venture funding isn’t a solution for everyone. Julie advises founders to evaluate whether their business model aligns with the high-growth, technology-driven expectations of venture capital.
Explore Non-Dilutive Financing: For businesses that don’t fit the venture model, options like debt financing, grants, and prepayment contracts can provide critical funding without giving up equity.
Build Your Network: The power of connection cannot be overstated. Whether it’s finding mentors, peers, or investors, women thrive when they collaborate and support one another.
A Call to Action
Julie’s ultimate goal? To raise $3 billion for women-run companies in the next few years. It’s ambitious, but she’s not doing it alone. Her work is proof that when women come together, they can create seismic shifts in industries that have historically sidelined them.
Her message is simple yet powerful: “This is our time. Let’s own it.”
Final Thoughts
Julie Castro Abrams reminds us that progress doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention, collaboration, and a willingness to rewrite the rules. For women in business, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, confidence, and the power of collective action.
As Julie says, “You have one precious life. Don’t let someone else’s story define it.”
Learn more about Julie Castro Abrams and her work at How Women Lead and How Women Invest.
Connect with Julie Castro Abrams:
Website: How Women Lead | How Women Invest
LinkedIn: Julie Castro Abrams | How Women Lead
Instagram: @HowWomenLead
Facebook: How Women Lead
