Exclusive Interview with Daniella Kahane
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of one of our Giving Collective Members, Daniella Kahane, who stands as a beacon of female empowerment. Daniella is an award-winning filmmaker, content creator, producer, and the co-founder and CEO of WIN (Women in Negotiating). WIN is transforming the landscape for women by helping them master negotiation skills—an area where many women face challenges, which directly contributes to the gender wage gap. WIN provides essential tools to help women overcome obstacles and achieve professional success. Daniella’s passion for women’s empowerment led her to co-found a conference that refines women’s negotiation skills. Her work continues to inspire women to communicate confidently and break through barriers in the workplace.
A Personal Journey Rooted in Passion for Women’s Empowerment
Daniella’s journey into negotiation began unexpectedly. After being invited to speak at a summit, she found herself deeply moved by the discussions around her. "Sitting in that room and hearing those conversations was a profound experience," she recalls. While she hadn’t initially planned to take on a leadership role, Daniella felt a strong, subconscious pull toward the cause. Growing up with two sisters and attending an all-women’s college shaped her experiences and her desire to empower women. With a background in filmmaking and her creation of her first documentary, Growing Up Barnard (2011), on an all-women's college, this desire was made into motion. The summit’s goal to help women succeed in negotiations perfectly aligned with her personal mission.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Negotiation
A key concept Daniella emphasizes is the importance of emotional intelligence in negotiations. While many women are often told to suppress their emotions in professional settings, Daniella encourages them to view emotions as an asset. "Emotions are often weaponized against us," she explains. Rather than dismissing emotions, she advocates for using them strategically in negotiations.
Daniella recalls a moment where she helped a friend navigate a difficult negotiation after attending one of her summits. The friend had received a lowball offer, and Daniella was able to coach her through the situation by applying what she had learned. "Had I not just come out of that conference, I wouldn't have realized how important it is to coach someone through this," Daniella says. This experience highlights the value of mentorship and building a supportive community of women who help each other overcome negotiation challenges.
Shifting the Narrative: Women Can Negotiate Their Way
Negotiation is often viewed as a male-dominated domain, characterized by hardball tactics. However, Daniella’s mission is to show women that they can negotiate in their own unique way, using collaborative and empathetic approaches. "Negotiation isn't about being cutthroat; it's about finding a creative alignment between you and your counterpart," she asserts.
For women concerned about appearing emotional or aggressive in negotiations, Daniella’s advice is simple: focus on what you want and how to achieve it. "Negotiation starts with the self," she explains. Women must shift their focus from being liked to prioritizing fairness for everyone involved. Daniella also encourages women to embrace their childhood mindset, when rejection didn’t stop them from asking questions until they found answers.
Daniella emphasizes that negotiation is an opportunity to match confidence with competence. "The worst feeling is to feel like a victim," she says. Shifting from a victim mentality to one of agency is central to her approach, empowering women to advocate for their worth confidently.
The Importance of Male Allies
While Daniella focuses on empowering women, she also stresses the critical role men play in promoting women’s success, especially in negotiations. Men must actively support gender equality by recognizing disparities in the workplace and striving to change them. "Being an ally is intentional," Daniella explains. Men can start by noticing the lack of women in leadership positions, questioning why, and ultimately working to correct it.
Daniella underscores the need for men to grow their self-awareness and adjust behaviors that unintentionally perpetuate gender inequities. "To change, men have to grow their self-awareness and change that behavior," she says. Men who are more mindful of the issues women face can help create more equitable environments where women feel empowered to advocate for themselves.
The Upcoming Summit: A Day of Empowerment
Daniella’s upcoming summit on May 16th reflects her ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment. This event will focus on leadership development, negotiation skills, and networking opportunities for women. With seminars, panel discussions, and keynote speakers, the summit will provide women with the tools to strengthen their negotiation abilities and expand their professional networks. "It’s about skill-building, fun, pampering, and most importantly, empowering women to feel confident in their leadership," Daniella says.
As we honor the progress women have made throughout history, Daniella Kahane’s work highlights the importance of women supporting each other, particularly in areas where they have historically been disadvantaged. Through her summits, coaching, and advocacy, Daniella is transforming the way women negotiate and reshaping our understanding of power, leadership, and success. By encouraging women to embrace their strengths, boost their confidence, and harness emotional intelligence, Daniella is helping create a future where women can negotiate their own futures with clarity and purpose.
For more information on the summit and to purchase tickets, click here: WIN Summit Tickets