Why Maia Molina-Schaefer Is a Strong Fit for Women’s History Month

• She embodies leadership beyond the mold. Maia’s path—from military combat zones to the philanthropic sector—reflects the kind of bold, values-driven leadership that challenges conventional narratives about what women leaders look like.
• A mission rooted in equity and action. Her career has centered on opening doors for others—from advocating for women and girls through her role at Amplify Her Foundation to mentoring cadets at West Point and building global partnerships. She doesn’t just speak about equity—she creates it.
• Military grit meets human-centered storytelling. Maia brings a rare blend of toughness and vulnerability. She’s led troops in Iraq and taught at West Point, but also speaks openly about failure, identity, and purpose—offering an honest and deeply human perspective that resonates across sectors.
• Topics that inspire personal and collective transformation. Her speaking themes—such as challenging outdated systems, leading with authenticity, and creating new pathways—align with Women’s History Month’s focus on progress, representation, and inclusive leadership.
• A lived commitment to making space for others. Whether she’s on stage, in service, or leading organizational strategy, Maia is committed to lifting others as she climbs—and she invites audiences to do the same.

Proposed Topic & Customization Approach

Rather than delivering a one-size-fits-all keynote, Maia partners closely with organizations to shape a talk that reflects their people, culture, and goals. Drawing from her 20-year military career, global leadership experience, and current work advancing gender equity, Maia weaves together themes of authentic leadership, resilience under pressure, navigating career pivots, and leading in environments where the rules were not written for you.

Her talks often explore:

• What it takes to lead with courage in high-stakes, male-dominated environments
• The “armor” women learn to wear at work—and when it’s powerful to take it off
• Navigating major transitions with clarity and confidence
• Building trust and influence across cultures, teams, and hierarchies
• Leading authentically as a woman, a mother, and a minority in spaces where visibility is rare
  

For Q2’s Women’s History Month event, Maia would customize her session to align with the organization’s values and employee priorities—particularly resonant for audiences interested in military leadership, service, resilience, and purpose-driven careers. Her ability to adapt stories and frameworks to different audiences ensures the session feels personal, relevant, and deeply engaging rather than prescriptive.

Maia’s keynote style blends strategic insight with compelling storytelling and warmth, using humor and lived experience to challenge assumptions, spark reflection, and leave audiences inspired to step more boldly into their own arenas.

Why Kanika Is the Right Fit for Women's History Month

• Brings a rare combination of journalistic rigor and lived experience, having spent years as a CNN television journalist before building one of the most respected podcasts centered on modern parenthood, leadership, and legacy
• Draws deeply from conversations with high-profile leaders, founders, and public figures including Chelsea Clinton, America Ferrera, Kelly Rowland, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rebecca Minkoff, and Reshma Saujani—distilling powerful, real-world lessons about purpose, resilience, and decision-making
• Uses storytelling as a connective thread, weaving insights from her interviews with her own experience as a working mother of three (including twins), making complex issues feel human, accessible, and deeply relatable
• Offers a nuanced perspective on caregiving, the sandwich generation, and mental wellbeing, grounded not just in research, but in hundreds of intimate, candid conversations with people navigating visibility, leadership, and family life
• Helps organizations understand how parenting and caregiving actively strengthen leadership skills—from boundary-setting and empathy to clarity and intuition—rather than detract from professional performance
• Known for her ability to moderate and guide conversations with warmth, clarity, and trust, making her especially effective in fireside chat formats that encourage openness and meaningful dialogue
• Resonates strongly with Women’s ERGs, parents and caregivers, HR and DEI leaders, and audiences seeking programming that reflects the full reality of modern work and life
• Brings cultural depth through her AAPI and South Asian heritage, as well as her work with organizations like Meta, Mom 2.0, and The White House—adding both credibility and global perspective to Women’s History Month programming

‍

Proposed Session: Lessons from That’s Total Mom Sense (Fireside Chat with Kanika Chadda Gupta)

Kanika is proposed for a warm, story-driven fireside chat that draws on her experience as a journalist, moderator, and host of That’s Total Mom Sense. The conversation is shaped by the real, unfiltered lessons she has gathered from interviewing hundreds of leaders, founders, and public figures—many of which are featured on her podcast’s widely viewed YouTube series—exploring themes such as parenting in the digital age, caring for both children and aging parents, mental wellbeing, and the invisible labor women carry. Through storytelling and thoughtful moderation, Kanika connects these lived experiences to leadership, culture, and retention, reframing caregiving not as a personal issue, but as a core workplace and leadership conversation. The session is highly relatable, deeply human, and designed to spark reflection and dialogue around how organizations can better support parents and caregivers while recognizing the leadership skills that life experience builds.

Why She’s the Right Fit for Women’s History Month

• Spotlights women’s health as a leadership issue – Mitchella champions overlooked dimensions of women’s wellbeing, challenging outdated norms and advocating for systemic change in how society supports women’s bodies.
• Embodies bold, values-driven leadership – Her journey from idea to nationally recognized founder reflects the resilience and clarity that WHM celebrates.
• Builds power, not just product – Through Oya Femtech, Mitchella is creating a movement that redefines leadership, innovation, and beauty—on women’s terms.
• Offers fresh inspiration for the next generation – As a barrier-breaking entrepreneur, she inspires professional women, emerging leaders, and future founders to lead with purpose and audacity.

‍

Recommended Keynotes: Expect further customization.

1) Empowering Women's Health: The Story Behind Oya Femtech Apparel

Embarking on the journey of building Oya Femtech Apparel has been an enlightening and transformative experience. As the founder and CEO, I've not only developed a groundbreaking technical apparel brand addressing feminine health issues but have also witnessed the profound impact it has had on women's lives. Reflecting on this journey, I've gleaned three crucial lessons about advocating for women's health and fostering positive change.

Lesson 1: Advocating for the Unaware

Lesson 2: Men as Allies, Not Enemies

Lesson 3: Taking Breaks to Recharge

In conclusion, empowering women's health goes beyond providing technical solutions; it involves challenging societal norms, fostering alliances, and nurturing a culture of self-worth. Oya Femtech Apparel is not just a brand—it's a movement to redefine beauty, celebrate health, and create a more inclusive and empowering future for women.

2) The Power of Innovation: Lesson from Building Oya Femtech Apparel

As the founder and CEO of Oya Femtech Apparel, I've embarked on a journey fueled by innovation, and driven by a passion to create meaningful change in women's health. Through this experience, I've gleaned invaluable lessons that have shaped my understanding of innovation and its transformative power. Here are three key messages I've learned along the way:

• Make a Specific Community Your Focus
• You Will Win Just by Virtue of Trying
• The World Needs More Inclusive Innovators

Innovation is not merely about creating something new; it's about creating value, driving progress, and improving lives. By embracing these key lessons—focusing on community, daring to dream, and championing inclusivity—we can harness the power of innovation to shape a brighter, more equitable future for all.