Redefining Leadership and Purpose with Nadya Okamoto

What does it take to build a brand, lead a movement, and stay grounded while doing it?

In this episode, Her Workplace Founder & CEO, Marilynn Joyner, sits down with Nadya Okamoto, Co-Founder of August, a lifestyle period brand reimagining how we talk about and experience periods. Nadya is also the author of PERIOD POWER: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement and the Founder and former Executive Director of the nonprofit PERIOD, one of the largest youth-run organizations focused on menstrual equity.

At just 26, Nadya has already built multiple organizations, served as a voice for Gen Z leadership, and become a leading advocate for menstrual and mental health. In this conversation, she opens up about her journey as a founder, the realities of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and what it means to grow and evolve while staying true to your mission.

Nadya shares what she’s learned about leading with authenticity, managing burnout, building community through storytelling, and finding peace amid chaos. Whether you’re building a business, leading a movement, or simply figuring out your next step, this episode offers inspiration and perspective on creating impact with courage and intention.

‪@NadyaOkamotoOfficial‬


00:00 - Welcome and motivation to start Period
02:51 - Starting Period: early activism and trial-and-error organizing
04:41 - What August is and early CPG journey
05:34 - From nonprofit and book research to founding August
07:25 - Leadership lessons: delegation and self-care
09:42 - Courage to start young and learning through mistakes
12:13 - Early founder experience and where August is today
14:43 - Community strategy and the role of a founder's personal brand
19:50 - Managing public criticism and mental health
22:08 - Evolving leadership, hiring and working smarter
25:42 - Protecting boundaries: routines, sleep and running
27:52 - Pride in persistence and staying connected to your why
30:46 - Politics and why running for office isn't the path
32:46 - What's next: marriage, evolving role, media and retail plans
35:00 - Rapid-fire closing: habits, success myths, and career on your terms


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Produced by Peoples Media