What is your name and occupation?
Nicole Kalil – Founder and Chief Woman Whisperer
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year.
What is your Instagram handle?
@nicolemkalil
What is your LinkedIn URL?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/34955356
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I was born, raised, and lived in California until three years ago, when we moved to Winchester, MA. My husband was offered an amazing career opportunity, and since I work from home when I’m not onsite with organizations or traveling to speak, I can do my work from anywhere. I absolutely love it here — and have zero regrets, even when it snows in April!
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I’m the owner of Woman’s Work, where our mission is to create professional environments where women thrive. I often say we advocate for women — but not at the expense of men — because I truly believe that when women rise, everyone rises.
I deliver keynotes, onsite training, and virtual workshops, partnering with leadership teams who want to strategically change their culture and workplace dynamics to be more inclusive and productive for women.
I also host a podcast called This Is Woman’s Work, where we’re redefining what it actually means to be doing “woman’s work” today. My background is in finance, where I was an executive at a Fortune 100 firm — in fact, I was the first woman in company history to hold my particular leadership position.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
Clients consistently tell me that I’m a great listener, loyal, authentic, a truth-teller, and both a deep and forward thinker.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde (I’m obsessed with good quotes!)
What is your favorite book?
This is an impossible question for me — reading is one of my absolute favorite things to do! I’ve committed to reading 60 books this year, and some of my favorites so far have been Untamed by Glennon Doyle and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, which was probably the most impactful book I’ve read in 2020.
What is your secret weapon?
I developed a Recovery Plan tool — a custom template that helps people regain focus and momentum when challenges arise. It’s available for download on my website: https://nicolekalil.com/podcast/019
What is your most recent WIN? How are you slaying in your career or business?
When COVID-19 hit, all of my in-person events were canceled — but I quickly pivoted to virtual workshops and online trainings. This shift has allowed me to expand my reach, increase my impact, and maintain profitability during an incredibly challenging time.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Confidence is built from the inside out — it doesn’t come from external validation. I’d tell myself to stop chasing achievements, attention, and approval, because those things only provide temporary confidence. Instead, I’d focus on accepting, honoring, and choosing myself.
How do you enjoy your free time?
Spending time with my family, reading, traveling, eating cheese, and drinking wine.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I’m a first-generation American — my father is from Mexico, my mother from Germany, and my brother is from Ghana. Most people assume I’m white when they see me, but I’ve been blessed to witness the American Dream through my family’s diverse background. I’m also deeply committed to listening to BIPOC voices and speaking out as an anti-racist ally.