Catherine Gray is a multifaceted professional with a uniquely rich career in media, storytelling, and investment. As the producer and executive producer of the award-winning film Show Her the Money, Catherine has demonstrated her expertise in bringing compelling stories to life several times. Beyond her recent success with the film about women in capital investing, she is an accomplished author, TEDx speaker, podcast host, investor, and a notable advocate for women’s empowerment through her ventures She Angel Investors and She Angels Foundation.
The Apple and the Tree
Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Catherine was raised by entrepreneurial parents who took risks and gained rewards.
“I’m pretty sure that’s where my desire to be an entrepreneur came from. I watched them do it every day,” she reflects.
Immediately after high school, she headed to the University of Florida for college to be part of their stellar broadcasting program. After graduation, she had a brief stint in California to do photography, but she eventually returned to the sunshine in Miami. This is where Catherine’s journey in media truly evolved. She spent many years in a successful career in cable TV advertising. This experience honed her skills in marketing and storytelling, which she would later leverage in the film industry.
The Pride Storyteller is Born
“It was about that time I started doing my own films,” Catherine tells me. “It was the 80s when I did my first
show called Way Off Broadway, and it was the first show on television in the U.S. to feature Female Impersonators.
Released in 2004, I Can’t Marry You was a powerful project for everyone involved, including Betty DeGeneres, a proud mother and activist for the LGBTQ+ community. The film highlighted 20 gay couples who had been in long-term relationships, spanning from 10 to 55 years of commitment, yet were unable to marry legally. Through personal stories, the documentary vividly depicted the deep love and dedication within these relationships, contrasting them with the legal and social obstacles the couples faced.
Catherine’s commitment to social justice and her skillful storytelling have left an enduring mark.
She Talks to Angels
Films are probably the most powerful medium for any method of storytelling, and She Angels is using this medium to highlight the journeys and achievements of female entrepreneurs. These films produced by Catherine not only celebrate the successes of women in business but also shed light on the challenges they face. By sharing these stories, Catherine continuously hopes to inspire more women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and raise awareness about the importance of supporting women-led ventures.
In addition to her achievements in film and media, Catherine has made significant strides in the realm of women’s investment and entrepreneurship. She founded She Angel Investors, a platform designed to connect women investors and entrepreneurs with valuable resources. This multimedia platform includes something for everyone through films, events, e-courses, and the *Invest in Her* podcast. Through these channels, Catherine provides essential support and education to women seeking to navigate the often-challenging world of investment and business.
“Did you know that less than 2% of all venture capital funding goes to women?” she asks.
I’m not a mathematician, but that seems way off balance, even for a novice. However, Catherine’s dedication to helping and empowering women is exemplified by her vision for the She Angels Foundation. This organization zeros in on supporting female entrepreneurs and promoting gender equality in the business world. By providing grants and resources to women-led ventures, the foundation helps bridge the funding gap that many women entrepreneurs face.
Yet, her efforts in promoting women’s financial independence and success are not limited to her platforms and organizations. Catherine is also a sought-after keynote speaker, delivering her impactful presentation “Connecting to Millions” to audiences around the world. In this keynote, she shares her insights on media, investment, and the importance of supporting women in business.
She Angels brings together female founders and funders by providing essential resources and fostering meaningful connections. She Angels aims to level the business playing field and balance the scales between that 98% and the insanely low 2% of where venture capital ends up.
Invest and Diversify
Recognizing the immense potential and talent that female entrepreneurs bring to the table, She Angels creates a robust network that supports and uplifts women-led ventures. By facilitating these connections, She Angels ensures that women have equal opportunities to thrive in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“More women than ever in history are starting their own venture capital funds,” Catherine tells me. “And what that means is they are starting to help overlooked communities.”
And it goes beyond just gender—these women are actively supporting underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) entrepreneurs. By encouraging a diverse range of women to become angel investors, it creates a high-magnitude ripple effect where these investors support ventures led by women and other marginalized groups.
It’s All About Her
As for the *Invest in Her* podcast, it shares incredible success stories such as these, along with insights and strategies from accomplished female entrepreneurs and investors who are already doing it. These remarkable women provide both inspiration and practical guidance for those looking to enter the world of angel investing and entrepreneurship.
“And you don’t have to be a millionaire to do it,” Catherine exclaims. “You can start off with investing $50, a hundred dollars, a thousand…whatever you want!”
With all that said about this organization, the key aspect of She Angels’ mission is to encourage more women to become angel investors. By increasing the number of female investors, it means that more women-led ventures might receive the funding they need to succeed.
“We provide resources and support to women interested in angel investing by helping them understand the process and guiding them,” Catherine says. “The whole goal is to create a community of women who are not only successful entrepreneurs but also active supporters of other women in business.”
But how do Catherine and her team know what’s working for them is really going to work for women?
Well, the organization tracks the progress of the ventures it supports, gathering data on their growth, success rates, and the diversity of their leadership teams. This data helps She Angels refine its approach and ensure a meaningful difference in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As She Angels looks to the future, the organization is committed to expanding its reach and impact. Plans include launching new initiatives, developing more educational resources, and creating additional opportunities for women to connect and support each other.
Catherine’s vision is a world where female entrepreneurs have equal access to funding, resources, and opportunities, and where women investors play a pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth.
Make it Rain, Ladies
*Show Her the Money* was released in 2023. It has been described as “…The story that has never been told,” featuring an amazing group of women, including Award-Winning Actress Elizabeth Banks (*The Hunger Games, Invincible*); Fashion Influencer Diipa Khosla; and Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress Sharon Gless (*Cagney and Lacey, Burn Notice*).
The film follows four entrepreneurs (Vicky Pasche, Jasmine Jones, Diipa Büller-Khosla, and Marian Leitner) on their incredible uphill journey to success as they work with powerhouse funders and angel investors like:
• Pocket Sun, the youngest VC named one of the Top 100 most powerful women in the country according to Entrepreneur Magazine
• Dawn Lafreeda, a waitress turned millionaire, now owns the most restaurants in the U.S.
• Investor Wendy Ryan, who uses her generational wealth to build up BIPOC entrepreneurs.
The film has been on a 50-city grassroots tour since its opening. The calls keep coming in for more venues to have showings. However, as all good things must come to an end, the tour will come to a close on October 20th in West Hollywood, where it all started, for the finale showing. Check showherthemoneymovie.com for showtime and tickets.
“In November, we will start offering it to companies and organizations to view,” says Catherine. “It has been incredibly well-received by audiences.”
The movie has been declared eye-opening and life-changing by the cast and audiences alike.
Show Her the Money is an eye-opening film that educates and empowers. Anyone who watches this groundbreaking documentary will gain insight, resources, and valuable tools for building wealth. It’s entertaining, inspirational, and a must-see,” says restaurant mogul Dawn Lafreeda.
And as for the entrepreneurs who participated in the movie, life will never be the same.
Vicky Pasche, Co-Founder of Dapper Boi, says, “Show Her the Money” has been such an incredible film that I will forever be grateful to have been a part of. I have so much more confidence in myself as a leader due to all of the badass women founders and funders in the film. It is a game-changer that all people can relate to and be inspired by. It’s a powerful movement.”
Keep up to date with showherthemoneymovie.com and follow on socials to find a showing near you before October 20th.
So, what’s next for this film and investing renaissance woman?
She’s going to keep on going, building up and empowering women to invest in one another to balance those scales one day. She’s going to keep making films that impact the world for good. Catherine assures me that she will live and love life daily, knowing that film and television can make some of the greatest impacts on the planet. Catherine’s career is a continuous testament to her diverse talents and unwavering dedication to empowering women.
As a producer, executive producer, author, speaker, and investor, she has made significant contributions to media, storytelling, and the advancement of women in business. Through her platforms She Angel Investors and She Angels Foundation, she continues to connect women with the resources they need to succeed, fostering a more inclusive and equitable business landscape. Her award-winning film *Show Her the Money* is just one example of how Catherine has used her skills and influence to make a positive impact on society.
The collective of Catherine’s work has earned her numerous accolades and recognition. Her ability to inspire and drive change through her various initiatives has made her a prominent figure in the field of media and the movement for women’s empowerment. Her passion for storytelling, educating, and her commitment to social causes continue to influence her projects and collaborations throughout her work and life. Ladies, I can honestly say that we are lucky to have a force like Catherine Gray fighting for all of us women in the world.
Tia Cristy
The most important thing about Tia is her way of cutting through the white noise and oversaturation of data to provide the most efficient and trusted information to others. Tia is the Lifestyle Editor for *She Talks Magazine*. She has been a radio personality for over 20 years, the founder of Tips from Tia, CEO of Ready Speaker One, an International Best-selling author, national speaker, Exclusive Speaking Coach, and TED-recognized TEDx alumni. She has humbly earned the title of Personality and Tips Expert in Health, Family, Lifestyle, Home, and Beauty through radio, television, and print.
