S3Ep124: No More Invisible Women: Networking, Advocacy, and Not Working for Free with Rachel Sklar, Co-Founder of TheLi.st

Rachel Sklar didn’t set out to become the godmother of modern women’s networking — she was just pissed off. Frustrated by the constant erasure of women in media and tech, she did what a lot of smart women do: she wrote an email. But unlike most emails, this one sparked a movement. 

Women have always known how to build in the margins — around systems, despite gatekeepers, and without the credit. Rachel just decided to make it impossible to ignore. Because when women back each other, we don’t just change the conversation. We change the entire game.

Key Takeaways:

• How frustration became fuel for Rachel’s most successful ventures

• The power of introductions, visibility, and building value into your network

• Why representation isn’t a favor — it’s strategy

• The art of saying “no” to unpaid labor and “yes” to building power

• How Rachel’s new podcast Hi, Smart Friend! is spotlighting voices you need to hear

Learn More About Rachel:

Instagram: @rachelsklar

LinkedIn: Rachel Sklar

Podcast: Hi, Smart Friend!

X: @rachelsklar

About Our Guest

Rachel Sklar is a writer and entrepreneur based in New York. She is the co-founder of TheLi.st, a network for professional women, acquired by New Power Media in November 2020. She was previously the VP Programming & Content for SaksWorks, the new membership club from Saks and HBC.

A former lawyer who writes about media, politics, culture & technology, she was a founding editor of the Huffington Post and Mediaite. She has contributed to numerous publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, Elle, Politico, Mashable, Glamour and numerous publications in her Canadian homeland. She has contributed jokes to speeches for selected public figures, including two sitting heads of state. She speaks widely across platforms including TV, podcasts, conferences and live events

Rachel is an advisor to several startups, including Vox Media, The Muse, Hopscotch, Bustle & The Riveter and has consulted for a broad range of companies including Spotify, Netflix and Women.NYC/New York City Economic Development Corporation. She is active in web3 and has worked with NFT collections including Meta Angels & MAVION World.

Rachel is also a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop, billed as the premiere training ground for the next generation of musical theatre songwriters. She is an accomplished lyricist and has been hired and/or booked to write and/or perform original lyrics and songs for more years than anyone needs to count, but suffice to say she still hears about her use of "cavort" in 1992.

Rachel has been named to the Silicon Alley 100, FastCompany’s “League of Extraordinary Women,” Forbes’ “Women Changing The World,” JWA's "Making Trouble, Making History" award, Marie Claire's "New Guard" and has earned numerous honors and awards for her writing and her activism.

About Our Company, The Justice Dept.

A female-focused advisory, consulting, and law firm advocating for female founders, talent, execs, and brands. We represent bo$$ ladies to make them 💰💰.

Website:  https://www.thejusticedept.com/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jenniferjustice6653

If you love what you are getting out of our show, please subscribe.

This is a Lady Business LLC Production.