MEET A NASTY WOMAN: 5 QUESTIONS WITH KATE ISLER
Meet Kate Isler, an activist, wife, author, mother, partner, friend, businessperson, sister, risk-taker, and NASTY WOMAN. She is passionate about gender parity, human rights, and equity.
Kate has over 20 years of international executive leadership gained working for fortune 100 companies to startups and have now turned her passion for supporting gender parity into a thriving business. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of TheWMarketplace, an eCommerce platform built to support women-owned businesses, services providers, and gender-balanced companies. The site is the Economic Engine for Women and earned revenue from the launch day.
In her book, Breaking Borders: A Remarkable Story of Adventure, Family, and Career Success That Defied All Expectations, Kate’s story is a guide for women who want to stop self-selecting out of opportunities because they "assume" they don't have the right education, connections, or skills to take a chance—including those that believe that having a family disqualifies them from pursuing a dream. As entertaining as it is enlightening, Breaking Borders provides insights, inspiration, and practical lessons on how to unapologetically kick ass!
What makes you a Nasty Woman?
I have always followed my heart and never thought about what I couldn’t do. To me, a Nasty Woman is determined, driven, compassionate, and speaks her mind. These are all viewed as culturally non-feminine behaviors but the words that best describe me.
Share an experience that shaped your views or helped you get involved in activism.
I have never followed the “normal path”. I took on the role of primary breadwinner and talked my husband into moving to the Middle East with our toddler years before it was fashionable. I was excited and terrified, but I quickly realized that I was capable, and if I acted like I knew what I was doing, I would be treated that way, with respect, even in one of the most repressive cultures in the world for women. From that moment on, I have been determined to instill that feeling of empowerment in other women.
Why let others tell women what is “normal” or “acceptable”?
What advice do you have for people who want to help enact change and push progress but don’t know how to get involved?
Don’t be afraid to jump in! Often, women wait to be invited. Why wait? Think about what you can offer to the cause and reach out to people and organizations that are focused on those issues. There is so much need and so much information available online, all it takes is a bit of investigation to see what organizations match your interests. Also, put your desire to get involved out to your friends and network. You may be amazed at who shares your passion.
If you could look into the future, 10 years from now, and see that real progress has been made, what does that look like for you?
It would look like a new normal where the world views women and girls of all races as equal humans. The cultural stereotypes will have changed to embrace women governing nations, achieving equal economic standing and wages, and women and girls will have full and equal access to healthcare and education. Achieving gender parity will bring harmony and prosperity to the world.
Share with us a favorite wine moment or memory, or pouring.
Wine is a celebration and reward for me. My favorite wine moment happens each year on March 8th, International Women’s Day. I host a very large public celebration, and at the end of that evening event taking off my shoes and reliving the highlights with my sister, business partners, and my closest friends (men and women) over several glasses of wine are always the highlight.