Empowering Women in the Workforce: Insights from Jenny Galluzzo, Co-Founder of The Second Shift

In this interview, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein speaks with Jenny Galluzzo, co-founder of The Second Shift, a platform designed to provide mid-career women with flexible job opportunities and professional development. Jenny shares how The Second Shift has adapted to the changing workforce landscape, emphasizing flexibility, community, and empowerment. With insights into work-life balance, career pivots, and building resilience, Jenny’s perspective sheds light on the evolving roles of women in today’s workforce and the power of connection. Join Amy and Jenny as they explore the ways women can find purpose and meaning in their professional and personal lives.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I’m a very lucky person. I have amazing friends in my life, really smart women. And Jenny Zo, we’ve known each other since 1999, when you were a freshman and I was a sophomore in college. It’s been fun watching each other grow up, and now you’re the co-founder and chief branding, community, and communications officer of The Second Shift. I’m so excited for this podcast. So just start by telling us—what is The Second Shift, why did you start it, and how has it evolved?

Jenny Galluzzo:
First, I’d just like to say, I love you. And also, I flew in from New York this morning, and usually my first stop is LAX straight to your house. We have lunch, hang out, and usually go shopping, but now we’re in this phase where our hangout is doing a podcast instead. It’s very grown-up.

Amy:
I thought about that too. I was like, Jenny, I only have a few hours with you, and normally we’d have lunch and then go shopping. But this felt more productive with our time, yet still just as fun.

Jenny:
Yes, totally. The Second Shift is a platform that provides jobs, community, and career development for women in mid-career—typically ages 35 to 45. Our members are high-level professionals with over 10 years of experience who may be looking for flexible work because of life changes like having kids, moving, or caring for parents. Our goal was to give women more agency over their lives—allowing them to work flexibly instead of choosing between staying home full-time or working 100 hours a week, which was the traditional model when we started.

Amy:
And after COVID, did The Second Shift expand even more?

Jenny:
Yes, it did. COVID was a disaster for women in the workforce, but in the end, the world adapted to a more flexible model. Now, hybrid and remote work is standard, which benefits women. The world finally caught up to where women needed it to be during this phase of life, around 25 to 45, when flexibility is essential for balancing productivity inside and outside the home.

Amy:
It’s interesting that the workforce now allows for more flexibility, and you’re right—the old systems weren’t created with women in mind. But COVID turned everything upside down and forced rapid changes, which has been positive for women.

Jenny:
Exactly. COVID turned the Titanic quickly, which was necessary. Now, with advancements like AI, the job market is shifting even faster, and new opportunities are opening up. When we graduated, people went into industries like journalism or media—industries that have changed or even disappeared. The job landscape today is so different.

Amy:
Yes, and now women can build careers that look completely different from what we imagined back then.

Jenny:
Right. It’s much more democratic and flexible, especially for women balancing family responsibilities. It’s incredible to think how far we’ve come. Now, in places like LA, you see yoga classes packed at 11:00 a.m. on a Tuesday. It used to seem like no one was working, but now I realize they are—it’s just that their schedules aren’t nine-to-five.

Amy:
So true. There’s this openness now that allows women to have successful careers that fit their lives.

Jenny:
Yes. I grew up in New York, and it used to be different there too. But now, even in New York, people have flexible schedules. COVID really changed things for the better.

Amy:
That flexibility has positively impacted mental health, too, I imagine.

Jenny:
Yes. At The Second Shift, I work directly with thousands of women, listening to their stories and understanding what they need. It’s empowering to see women supporting each other and building confidence. Many women feel stuck at certain stages of life, whether it's with young kids, sending kids off to college, or dealing with elderly parents. By listening, we identified themes and built the “Shift Forward” program to help women navigate their fears, goals, and blocks.

Amy:
What does the “Shift Forward” program entail?

Jenny:
It’s a four-week program designed to help women connect with themselves. The first week focuses on identifying what brings them joy and when they feel most confident. We dive into fears in the second week—where they come from, whether they’re real, and how to face them. The third week is goal-setting, figuring out what they truly want without fear or external judgment. The final week is all about action, networking, and planning. It’s practical and focuses on building sustainable habits that empower them to move forward.

Amy:
That sounds amazing, and it’s so empowering. Why do you think people sometimes ask for advice from the wrong people?

Jenny:
It’s confirmation bias. Sometimes people ask those who will give the answer they want to hear, stopping them from taking a risk or following through on something they’re unsure about. It’s a form of self-sabotage if you’re only looking for someone to affirm your fears.

Amy:
I get that. It’s like we choose friends who will encourage us but also know which friends will talk us out of things.

Jenny:
Exactly. It’s all about being intentional with who you ask for feedback. I often take calls with people who need an unbiased opinion—I don’t know them personally, so I can offer clear, honest feedback. It’s a skill I developed in journalism: listening, distilling, and reflecting back to help them find clarity.

Amy:
That’s a great approach. And it’s similar to what I see in health—women often struggle with empowerment, confidence, and listening to their own intuition.

Jenny:
Yes. Women carry so much—fear, lack of confidence, and judgment from others. The most powerful women I’ve met still wrestle with insecurities. It’s a universal experience, and it’s so important to build that confidence and independence.

Amy:
Absolutely. Confidence is key in all aspects of life. And we often share things openly with other women but struggle to say the same things in a doctor’s office or professional setting.

Jenny:
That’s why I love women. We’re so open with each other in the right setting. I recently hosted a dinner with a group of women to discuss life after 40, and the topics went deep quickly—everything from relationships to career changes. Women are amazing at creating safe spaces to connect.

Amy:
Yes, and often we feel safer sharing with women we barely know rather than close friends because we fear judgment. There’s a special connection in those spaces.

Jenny:
Absolutely. Women create spaces for each other to feel seen, understood, and validated. We’re wired for that kind of connection.

Amy:
And that shared experience of navigating changes in life and body is something only women understand. We have these phases that men don’t experience the same way.

Jenny:
Exactly. I work with women, support women, and am in the women’s empowerment space every day. It’s fulfilling to be in a community where everyone wants to lift each other up.

Amy:
So what’s been one of your biggest wins at The Second Shift?

Jenny:
Honestly, every time we help a woman get a job or make a connection that changes her life, it’s a win. Seeing the network effect and how women share resources is incredibly rewarding. When clients come back, hire women full-time, or refer others, it feels like a real accomplishment.

Amy:
That’s wonderful. It’s like watching something you built take on a life of its own.

Jenny:
Yes, exactly. I’ve seen The Second Shift grow into something that impacts so many people. It’s about the purpose, and watching it resonate is amazing.

Amy:
Thank you, Jenny. It’s been a pleasure talking with you.

Jenny:
Thank you, Amy. This was so fun.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity