In this milestone 100th episode of Women on Wealth, Julina Ogilvie is joined by Bella Ghassemi Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award and host of The Day I… podcast. Bella shares her compelling journey from corporate venture capital to leading a global initiative that empowers women tech founders in emerging markets. Together, they explore the barriers women face in tech and entrepreneurship—from language access to lack of representation—and how Aurora Tech is reshaping what support really looks like for female founders around the world.
Show Highlights:
- 03:47 – “If the table isn’t built for you, build a new one”: Aurora’s mission
- 05:48 – Why access—not just funding—is the true game-changer
- 08:03 – 2,000 applicants, 173,000 lives impacted
- 10:41 – The overlooked challenge: language as a barrier to entrepreneurship
- 12:44 – Creating visibility, community, and culturally relevant support
- 19:23 – Bella’s path from apathy Burnout to purpose-driven leadership
- 24:56 – InDrive’s bold goal: Positively impact 1 billion people by 2030
- 27:25 – The pattern recognition problem in venture capital
Connect with Julina Ogilvie:
Website
YouTube
LinkedIn
Email- [email protected]
Link to Aurora Tech Award: https://www.auroratechaward.com/
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. The statements and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author. PWP cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any statements or data. For current PWP information, please visit the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with PWP’s CRD #290180
Julina manages wealth for high-net-worth individuals and families in addition to guiding successful advisors through the firm’s succession planning strategy. Prior to joining Principle Wealth Partners, Julina held executive roles at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Lord Abbett & Co. In these roles, she used her extensive knowledge of the capital markets to educate the country’s top advisors.
Julina is an accomplished speaker and strategist who has presented wealth management concepts to thousands of financial professionals and clients. She has been recognized for her outstanding achievements and serves as a mentor for young women entering the business. With a passion for financial literacy, she created a podcast, Women On Wealth, to empower women on financial concepts. Additionally, she authored Money Confident Girls: A Parent’s Roadmap to Raising Financially Confident Children (From Toddlers to Teens), further solidifying her commitment to fostering financial competence from an early age.
Julina resides in Fairfield, CT with her husband Doug, their daughters Kaylin and Sidney, and two dogs, Mudd and Sierra. She currently sits on the Ethics Board of the Investments & Wealth Institute, serves as VP of Finance at the Westport Women’s Club, and sits on the Board of Directors at River House Adult Day Center. Julina is an avid skier and triathlete who qualified for the Ironman World Championship in 2024.
