for the first few issues of ELYSIAN, one guiding principle was to take a young woman who was aspiring to greatness, showcase her on our cover, and pair her with an Inspiring Woman.
The COVID pandemic shifted ELYSIAN’s focus. From this burgeoning mentorship program in its early years, ELYSIAN pivoted to a singular focus on women over 38. Dr. Christina Rahm’s passion for mentorship and unique vision has sparked a renewed commitment to pairing younger women with seasoned leaders who can guide them through the challenges and triumphs of their personal and professional journeys.
ELYSIAN’s new chapter will celebrate and nurture the next generation of women—Aspiring Women. This footprint expansion aims to empower young women striving to carve their own paths toward success, and it’s a shift that Dr. Rahm, founder of DRC Ventures and The Root Brands, is leading with enthusiasm and vision.
Dr. Rahm, a seasoned entrepreneur and scientist, will oversee ELYSIAN’s focus on Aspiring Women. With her wealth of experience, Dr. Rahm brings a unique perspective on how mentorship and community support can transform the lives of younger women who are just beginning their professional journeys. Her mission is to cultivate an environment where these Aspiring Women have access to accomplished mentors who can guide them toward their goals, whatever those may be.
A Mentorship Movement
Throughout her career, Dr. Rahm has recognized the importance of mentorship, especially for women who often lack access to the support systems that many men take for granted. Reflecting on her own career in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, Dr. Rahm recalls how, early in her career, it was rare for women to help each other professionally. “I didn’t have many women mentors,” she said. “Men helped me more than women. Women were just trying to get ahead on their own.”
This lack of support is something that ELYSIAN and Dr. Rahm are determined to change for future generations of women. By establishing mentorship programs that connect successful women with Aspiring Women, we believe that many of the barriers that young women face—whether it’s juggling a career with family responsibilities or dealing with professional insecurities—can be overcome with guidance and understanding. “Women need to mentor women,” Dr. Rahm said. “It’s a missing art, and we need to foster that connection.”
ELYSIAN’s new chapter will celebrate and nurture the next generation of women—Aspiring Women. This footprint expansion aims to empower young women striving to carve their own paths toward success. Dr. Christina Rahm, a seasoned entrepreneur and scientist, will oversee ELYSIAN’s focus on Aspiring Women. With her wealth of experience, Dr. Rahm brings a unique perspective on how mentorship and community support can transform the lives of younger women who are just beginning their professional journeys.
For Dr. Rahm, mentorship isn’t just about offering career advice; it’s about providing the emotional, mental, spiritual and sometimes financial support that women need to thrive in their chosen fields. “Mentorship isn’t about money,” she notes. “It’s about really being there for someone, helping them grow, and ensuring that they don’t quit when the going gets tough.”
Breaking Barriers
One of the key challenges that Aspiring Women face today is overcoming the obstacles that come with being a woman in the workforce, especially in the realms of science, business and academia. Female CEOs often face an uphill battle, with many of them stepping down after just a few years due to the pressure of balancing legal battles and the demands of their roles. “It’s a struggle for women to hit those high levels,” Dr. Rahm said. “They quit or step back, but if they had the right mentorship, they wouldn’t give up.”
ELYSIAN aims to break down these barriers by connecting Aspiring Women with seasoned professionals who can offer both practical advice and emotional support. This approach goes beyond just helping women land jobs or start businesses—it’s about equipping them with the tools to succeed long-term and providing them with a network of support that spans both generations.
At DRC Ventures, Dr. Rahm’s approach to mentoring young women has had a remarkable impact. She recounted an unconventional, yet effective, team-building exercise for her interns, which included a Pitch Perfect-inspired dance-off and sing-off between two teams. The fun competition, which included cash rewards for the winning team, was a way for Dr. Rahm to bring her team together, break the ice, and foster creativity. The interns were then tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for the company’s 27 products, with Dr. Rahm mentoring them through the process. In the end, their ideas outperformed the original campaign, leading to a significant boost in the company’s social media presence and overall engagement. This experience underscored the value of hands-on mentorship that encourages creativity and leadership from young women – and it also showed that the older generation had just as much fun participating in the exercise as the interns did.
Shaping the Future Together
As part of ELYSIAN’s new focus on Aspiring Women, we envision a world where women of all ages—whether they are just starting out or already established in their careers—can learn from one another and help each other succeed. Dr. Rahm envisions a mentorship program where women who have already made their mark in industries like healthcare, business, and politics can pass on their knowledge to the next generation of women who will one day lead these fields.
“We need to empower younger women to take the lead in areas like politics, business, and healthcare,” Dr. Rahm explains. “It’s about creating a culture of mentorship, one where we actively support women from all walks of life and all career stages.”
By fostering this culture, ELYSIAN hopes to create a sustainable, long-term network that will continue to grow and evolve over the next decade. The goal isn’t just to inspire women— it’s to build a community where women of all backgrounds can collaborate, share experiences, and offer advice, ensuring that no woman feels alone on her journey.
The Role of ELYSIAN Magazine
With its powerful brand and extensive reach, ELYSIAN is uniquely positioned to make this vision a reality. As the magazine expands its focus to include Aspiring Women, it will serve as a platform for these women to share their stories, struggles, and successes. In addition to traditional mentorship, ELYSIAN will leverage its extensive network of influential women to provide tangible support, including offering opportunities for internships, potential funding for startups, and exposure through various media channels.
This approach is personal to Dr. Rahm, who believes that the key to success for women lies in a holistic approach to personal and professional growth. She highlights the importance of supporting women not just in their careers but also in their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. “Women are complex,” she said. “We need to support each other holistically— not just in business, but in every aspect of life.”
As ELYSIAN steps into its second decade, it is clear that the future for Aspiring Women is bright. With Dr. Rahm, the brand is not only expanding its reach to younger women but also fostering a culture of mentorship, support, and empowerment that will shape the next generation of female leaders.