About

Julia Gottlieb

I built my career at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and design as an Executive Producer in creative technology, helping ideas come to life and crafting experiences that connect people in unexpected ways.

I co-founded Autofuss, a design/production company, and Bot & Dolly, an engineering studio specializing in automation, robotics, and filmmaking. Our work culminated in the Academy Award-winning Gravity and the acclaimed short film Box, earning international recognition. In 2013, both companies were acquired by Google, where I went on to serve in senior production roles at Alphabet’s X and Google Robotics.

I later took an intentional career pause to raise my daughters, a chapter that continues to give me perspective, purpose, and patience. From this space, I discovered the work that fuels me today: Ladysmith, a collective dedicated to sharing the journeys of female founders and makers - and Savage Lambs, a passion project rooted in the places I call home - Northern California and New Zealand.

Now, I bring the same spirit of innovation and storytelling to Ladysmith, where, alongside my co-founders, I curate salons and gatherings that celebrate women who are building, making, and reshaping. For me, Ladysmith is as much about amplifying the work of others as it is about embracing my own creative reinvention and building community.

Lisa Mishima

I am an independent designer, specializing in brand design for emerging food brands. Food is my passion. It's a universal language we all understand, rich in history and can be so personal. Every food has a story and I love to uncover and amplify stories through design.

As an extension of my design practice, I create edible experiences that nurture and deepen human connection. From edible art installations to multi-sensory gatherings, I enjoy orchestrating moments of surprise and delight, nourishing all of our senses.

In the early years of my career, I spent my time at various design studios, ad agencies, and start-ups in the Bay Area. I soon realized that I had a strong desire to pave my own path and to design under my own terms. This was especially important when I welcomed my son into the world, juggling parenthood and work. 

As a solopreneur, I deeply value human connection. What I treasure most are not tangible things, but fleeting experiences that I've shared with loved ones, friends, even strangers. I am excited to be a part of building a rich and diverse network of fellow founders and creatives here at Ladysmith.

Kim Tran

I’m a technologist with a creative eye for craft. My fascination with computers began at an early age and soon drew me into coding, gaming, and online communities. That spark grew into leadership: in high school I founded a FIRST robotics team that brought STEM into the curriculum, and in college I studied Computer Engineering while also exploring eSports, studio art, and camping across Iceland to study geology.

After graduation, I joined Apple on the Human Engineering Software team. Over eight years, I partnered across R&D and operations to design processes and roles that enabled cross-functional collaboration and global impact. That experience taught me how creativity, teamwork, and technology combine to move ideas from research into reality, and how to focus on what matters to deliver exceptional results.

Today, I’m building brands like ROOTSTOCK and nurturing holistic health through powerlifting, yoga, and nourishing food. For me, technology and craft are both ways of pursuing the same goal: creating systems and experiences that help people live better lives. With Ladysmith, I’m bringing together the unique spirit of the SF Bay Area with the collective potential of our evolution.