Social Champ takes pride in highlighting a group of remarkable women who are excelling in their respective fields and leading the way for others. These women hail from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique story, but they all share a common passion for their work and a dedication to empowering others.
Ria Ruthsatz
Director, Documentarian & Entrepreneur
Tree9 Films: tree9.com
Ria Ruthsatz is an Emmy award-winning director who has produced commercials nationwide. She is widely known for developing fundraising films that have raised millions for important causes worldwide.
Ria believes documentaries should not be reserved for sensational stories or famous faces. Instead, every individual has a unique story worth sharing. This belief inspired her to create Bespoke Documentaries, an endeavor aimed at preserving these invaluable narratives.
Her work at Bespoke Documentaries stems from years of professional experience crafting films that resonate deeply with audiences. The firm meticulously crafts these documentaries because it intends to capture the individual’s story, as well as the memories of generations to come.
Ria’s advice for women is to share their stories – in writing, on camera, or just across the table. Younger generations need to hear these stories – good and bad. It’s what will give them the strength to carry on in times of hardship, and it’s these stories and the future stories they’ll inspire that we celebrate on International Women’s Day.
Mehtap Oezkan
Content Creator, Actress & CEO of Oezkan Entertainment
You can find Mehtap on TikTok and Instagram at mehtapisme.
Mehtap Oezkan was born and raised in Switzerland with her four sisters. Her family is ethnically Turkish and immigrated to Switzerland before she was born. Ms. Oezkan attended the prestigious University of Zurich and also did acting gigs.
After her graduation, she moved to Korea and simultaneously started her social media career. In 2024, she launched her own Social Media Agency & Talent Management called Oezkan Entertainment.
Mehtap’s mission is about achieving personal success and empowering and uplifting others, especially young girls who may face similar struggles. Through her work as a CEO, actress, and content creator, she strives to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and show that anything is possible with dedication and hard work.
Her vision is to create a world where young girls from all backgrounds can see themselves represented and celebrated in the media.
Yulia Saf
Founder at Miss Tourist
Yulia Saf’s passion for exploration and drive to innovate within the digital nomad lifestyle led her to find MissTourist.com eight years ago. This globetrotting guru has lived in seven countries, explored over 70, and picked up five languages along the way! Her website now draws 400k visitors monthly and is dedicated to helping folks plan the vacation of their dreams.
Transitioning from a solo traveler to managing a global team of 12, Yulia’s voyage was dotted with cultural learnings, language barriers, and the challenge of balancing evolving technology with authentic, impactful travel experiences. This journey taught her resilience, the importance of embracing change, and the power of community in overcoming obstacles.
Yulia’s advice to women navigating the vast world of travel and entrepreneurship is threefold: Stay curious, harness the strength of your unique perspective, and never shy away from asking for help. International Women’s Day is a beacon for her, symbolizing the unyielding strength and potential of women worldwide to transform their ambitions into realities.
Rebekah Par
Founder of Two Mama Bears
Social Accounts: Instagram @thetwomamabears, TikTok @twomamabears
Rebekah Par’s mission is simple yet profound: to assist fellow mothers in reclaiming their time and energy. She’s always tackling everyday mom dilemmas head-on, from exhaustive product reviews to practical gift guides and picky-eater-friendly recipes.
After college, Rebekah began her career in nonfiction publishing, but the corporate grind left her yearning for something more fulfilling. Inspired by her own experiences as a mother, she founded Two Mama Bears.
Helping other parents is Rebekah’s ultimate motivation. Whether she spends months creating bento box lunch ideas or rigorously tests countless baby onesie brands to find the perfect fit, knowing that her work resonates with other moms makes every effort worthwhile.
On this upcoming Women’s Day, Rebekah celebrates not just her journey but the journeys of countless mothers navigating the beautiful chaos of parenthood. Together, they share motherhood’s triumphs, challenges, and joys, creating a supportive network that empowers and uplifts us all.
Jamie Koll
Creator of @girlswhoeat
You can find Jamie on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Navigating the professional world has been filled with highs, lows, and endless possibilities. For Jamie, work isn’t just a job—it’s a passion that drives her daily. She’s Jamie, a full-time non-toxic influencer behind the Instagram account @girlswhoeat, an ingredient expert, health coach, angel investor, and someone dedicated to helping others live a sustainable, clean, and non-toxic lifestyle.
Her mission is to educate her community on clean ingredients and empower them to make informed choices and take their health into their own hands. Starting as a solopreneur has had its challenges: loneliness and imposter syndrome are two big ones.
It was hard for her not to compare herself to others she saw online. Additionally, the influencer space needed more resources to help and connect with one another, so it often felt like she was navigating all on her own.
But the highs outweighed the hurdles. She now innovates, pivots, moves quickly, has a flexible schedule, and positively impacts lives. She’s been able to build a supportive team to expand her business. Her community also messages her daily, sharing how her content has changed their lives by using food as medicine and reducing toxins. She has also built meaningful relationships with brands, founders, and female entrepreneurs.
In this industry, constant change and growth are inevitable. She is excited for the future and embraces opportunities to expand her reach and explore new ventures, whatever they may be. Her commitment to driving positive change within the health and wellness world remains at the forefront of her work. She will remain authentic and share her knowledge with as many people as possible!
Sasha Smirnova
Founder of Student in Korea
Find Sasha on Instagram and Linkedin.
Through her initiative “Student in Korea,” Sasha Smirnova empowers future international students with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their Korean education. Her website, social media platforms, and upcoming app provide accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information.
This comprehensive approach equips individuals pursuing Korean education to navigate the system confidently. Notably, this information, often absent or outdated in English on university websites, becomes readily available through her efforts.
Her passion for helping and guiding students fuels her creation of practical content. This content advises, explains, and shares insights into the experience of studying in Korea.
Looking ahead, she aims to foster a supportive community where aspiring students can find guidance and make their Korean journey fulfilling.
A pivotal moment shaped Sasha Smirnova’s current path. It was the moment she embraced self-belief. She stopped seeking external validation and let go of the limiting influence of others’ judgment. Instead, she channeled her time, skills, and energy into her passions. This transformation instilled the confidence to launch her projects and pursue a move abroad.
While self-belief doesn’t eliminate challenges, and obstacles remain inevitable, Sasha’s firm faith in herself empowers her to face challenges head-on. She now recognizes the strength that self-confidence brings. This newfound belief inspires her to persevere, celebrate achievements, and view each surmounted obstacle as an opportunity for growth.
Tahniat Alam
Senior Marketing Lead at Social Champ
Meet Tahniat Alam, a true jack-of-all-trades—marketing maestro, daughter, and friend all rolled into one vibrant personality. Currently rocking the role of Senior Marketing Lead at Social Champ, Tahniat’s journey has been anything but ordinary. From changing careers to hopping countries, she’s all about crafting a life worth remembering.
Tahniat’s story kicks off with a bang, thanks to her family’s support for her love of sports. In a world where everyone was pushing for medical degrees, she dared to pursue her passion for sports, culminating in a proud moment representing Pakistan in an international Netball tournament back in 2012.
But that’s just the beginning. Despite her sporting successes, Tahniat didn’t rest on her laurels academically. In 2015, she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, setting the stage for a promising career in Pharmaceutical Marketing in Karachi, Pakistan.
However, life had more adventures in store for Tahniat. She found herself in Sydney, Australia, where her marketing prowess continued to shine. But even then, she couldn’t resist the call of something new. When the co-founder and CEO of Social Champ pitched her an irresistible opportunity, Tahniat took the plunge. She transitioned from pharmaceuticals to digital marketing and software services, embracing change, honing fresh skills, and carving out an innovative career path.
Tahniat’s journey is a testament to the power of a strong support system and the right connections. She proves that with the right people by your side, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness, no matter where you start.
Armed with her marketing toolkit, Tahniat is a force to be reckoned with in strategic planning, problem-solving, and fostering teamwork. Her story isn’t just about professional success—it’s a reminder of the transformative power of ambition, support, and the courage to step into the unknown.
Beth Elkassih
Founder of Made You Smile Back
Beth Elkassih is a professional blogger, author, motivational speaker, and happiness coach. As a survivor of both clinical and acute post-partum depression, she strives to help remove the stigma of mental illness. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and well-being. She recently became a certified ‘Facilitator for Family Support’ with NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) for Tarrant County, Texas.
Beth just published her recent book, “365 Unique Daily Quotes – A Year of Uplifting Your Spirit” on Amazon. She is also a best-selling author of 2 other books, “I Just Want To Be Happy Again,” a collection of her top 14 blog articles discussing how to achieve happiness, coping with depression and anxiety, and other mental health issues. Her first published book, “The Power of Unexpected Miracles,” shares her profound life-changing experience and insights while recovering from acute post-partum depression.
After she made a full recovery from the ‘rabbit hole of depression,’ she made a promise that she would create a no-judgment platform for any and everyone who is looking for encouragement and support. In 2018, Beth created the professional blog ‘Made You Smile Back’—madeyousmileback.com—a website that inspires and motivates people to achieve their best. Currently, it has over 350 blogs discussing achieving happiness and coping with life struggles. Her proudest achievement is a Facebook Group she created ‘Achieving Happiness,’ a platform that provides community support to anyone who needs it.
Her continuing mission is to have an empowering online presence and do her part in removing the stigma of mental illness. She invites everyone to have the ‘Made You Smile Back Experience!’
Stephanie Feliciano
CEO & Founder of LeSoricer Marketing
Find Stephanie on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Stephanie Feliciano is the visionary founder of LeSoricer Marketing, embodying the spirited fusion of Bronx grit and Tennessee charm. At the helm of her agency, Stephanie has transitioned from the vibrant streets of New York to mastering the digital domain.
What brought her to Tennessee? Love, in its most compelling form. Supporting her husband’s military career, Stephanie found herself in the Volunteer State, embracing each step of this unforeseen path. This journey, filled with unexpected twists, led to the creation of her agency, showcasing how life’s detours can unfold into extraordinary chapters.
As CEO and founder, Stephanie champions a leadership style marked by transparency, zeal, and authenticity. She firmly believes that injecting fun into business is not just possible but necessary. Her career journey, from corporate mazes to entrepreneurial ventures, has been an exhilarating adventure, punctuated by strategic pivots and, quite importantly, an abundant consumption of coffee.
LeSoricer Marketing is dedicated to elevating businesses through sophisticated aesthetics and strategic marketing tactics. Its vision is to revolutionize luxury branding standards, pioneering transformative brand journeys that kindle creativity and innovation.
With a foundation of dedication and passion, the agency strives to create lasting impacts, transforming each brand into a symbol of elegance and sophistication. Her goal is to simply make clients fall deeply in love with their social media presence.
Stephanie continues to push forward, fueled by the excitement of the hunt, the pleasure of creativity, and the gratification of witnessing dreams materialize. And what’s her secret weapon? A matchless sense of humor.
Yuliya Gorenko
Founder of Mischka Agency
As a woman who leads influencer marketing for multiple brands, Yuliya Gorenko believes in influential personalities’ impact on communities. Marketers and communications professionals have immense power as they reach audiences through media channels and influencer partnerships.
According to Yuliya Gorenko, we live in a time of escalating global conflicts and growing political division. Given these circumstances, it’s our responsibility to promote positive messages that unite people and improve lives.
As a female immigrant in the USA, she views her mission through a lens of empowerment and representation. Her journey to this position has been a testament to her resilience in navigating new cultures, languages, and societal norms.
In many ways, her experiences as an immigrant woman have shaped her marketing approach, infusing it with a unique perspective that champions diversity and inclusivity.
In the dynamic world of marketing, where creativity meets strategy, she sees herself as a catalyst for change. Her role isn’t just about selling products or services; it’s about telling stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. As a woman, she understands the importance of authentic representation in advertising. She strives to create campaigns that celebrate the richness of human experience, featuring diverse voices and perspectives.
Moreover, being an immigrant adds another layer of complexity to her work. She brings a global perspective to the table, understanding the nuances of different cultures and markets. This allows her to tailor campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, fostering connections on a deeper level. Whether it’s through language, imagery, or cultural references, she aims to bridge the gap and foster understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
Stephanie Wilson
Founder of She’s in Business
Find Stephanie on Facebook and Instagram.
Meet Stephanie, a neurodiverse entrepreneur with degrees in accounting and law who’s rewriting the rules and showcasing how autism can be a business superpower. Despite facing societal pressures and communication obstacles, Stephanie found her groove during the global lockdown.
Inspired by fellow autistic entrepreneurs, she launched “She’s in Business,” a groundbreaking platform empowering professional women to establish lucrative consulting enterprises.
Stephanie’s achievements extend well beyond “She’s in Business.” She’s been lauded as “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” and recognized as a “Most Influential Leader,” with media outlets clamoring for her insights.
In 2023, Stephanie elevated her impact even further by introducing a free, accredited training initiative benefiting over 7,000 women globally. Her aim? Not merely to impart business skills but to redefine the essence of female entrepreneurship.
But Stephanie’s vision transcends conventional business paradigms. She’s on a mission to equip women with CEO-level competencies, enabling them to forge enduring legacies, not just companies. For Stephanie, entrepreneurship shouldn’t be a mere survival strategy in the face of an inflexible job market but a springboard to empowerment and meaningful change.
Stephanie’s journey epitomizes resilience, innovation, and the art of transforming challenges into opportunities. Her influence stretches well beyond the realm of business success, touching and empowering women across the globe.
Anna Be
Founder of Singled Out Wealth
Find Anna on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Meet Anna Be, the powerhouse behind Singled Out Wealth, a personal finance platform tailored specifically for single moms. Back when she was navigating the murky waters of single motherhood herself, she realized that financial guidance catered to her unique circumstances was sorely lacking.
Anna resolved to change that narrative, leveraging her background in finance to create a resource hub where single moms could find practical advice, actionable strategies, and unwavering support.
Her journey hasn’t been without its share of hurdles. From battling stereotypes to overcoming financial setbacks, Anna understands firsthand the challenges single moms face. Yet, it’s precisely these obstacles that fuel her drive to make a difference.
Through Singled Out Wealth, Anna aims to empower single moms to take control of their financial futures, break free from the cycle of poverty, and build lasting legacies for themselves and their children.
Anna’s vision extends beyond just financial empowerment; it’s about fostering a community where single moms can thrive, support one another, and rewrite their stories of resilience and triumph.
In a world that often overlooks their struggles, Anna Be stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that single moms are not defined by their circumstances but by their strength, courage, and unwavering determination to create better lives for themselves and their families.
Conclusion
These incredible women serve as shining examples of empowerment, resilience, and innovation. From filmmaking to entrepreneurship, from digital marketing to mental health advocacy, they’re breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and forging paths that inspire us all.
Their stories remind us that every journey is unique, every struggle is surmountable, and every dream is within reach. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s honor these women and the countless others who are making a difference, not just today but every day.
Their stories are a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of sisterhood, and the boundless potential of women around the world. So here’s to them—to their courage, their tenacity, and their unyielding commitment to creating a better, brighter future for us all.
