Lessons from Leaders

I had the opportunity to sit down with Gary White, an inspiring problem-solver and innovator. With three degrees in civil and environmental engineering, Gary tells of his passion for social justice began in his 20s when he became aware of the alarming statistic that 1.5 billion people worldwide lacked access to water and even more lacked access to sanitation. As an engineer with a solution-seeking mindset, he was determined to find answers.In our conversation about his unique start, Gary shares how his seed of information was found during his early exposure to TED, a key source of inspiration. He felt like a "kid in a candy store," exposed to so many diverse ideas and perspectives that were outside the engineering domain. He continues, "To be able to sit for a few days and hear ideas and concepts from people who are doing nothing like you were doing, and yet all of those ideas could kind of be borrowed or kind of bent in your direction. I think that's where the concept of bending microfinance towards water and sanitation was. Here was this thing that was happening around the world with others, and it was completely divorced from what we were doing with water. Why does that have to be? Let's bring those things together." Gary shares his experiences and insights on how he drew on this wealth of outside-the-box knowledge, bent it to become relevant to his work, and co-founded Water.org, a groundbreaking organization that helps finance water and sanitation solutions for individuals living in poverty. Gary's work is a testament to the power of creativity and passion in solving complex social challenges. Quoting Thomas Edison, Gary shares, 'I feel like I've never done a day's work in my life because it's all been fun.'I am grateful to Gary for sharing his insights and inspiring us to think outside the box when faced with challenges. I invite leaders to listen to this episode and emerge with new determination and fresh ideas.To connect with: Water.org - https://water.org/To connect with Gary White on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/waterpartners

This week's Lessons From Leaders guest is Morgan Lance, CEO of OneSky. Her story and insights as the first CEO to transition into the position after the founder and leader of 24+ years are noteworthy simple truths.As the new CEO facing difficult decisions, Morgan shared:“When there's tough decisions to be made or moments of leadership that I know are going to be difficult for me, I always go back to that question: What is best for the kids that we serve? What is best for the children? What decision do I need to make now, or what do I need to do or embody in order to move the mission forward? And that's a really clear, really clear decision-maker for me. It makes things a lot easier.”“I learned the speed with which decisions need to be made at the CEO level is far quite different at other leadership levels within an organization….leaders are remembered for the pace at which they make decisions, not necessarily the outcome of those decisions.”Morgan's message is timely as leaders refocus on the importance of an organization's values and mission to revitalize in 2023.Thank you, Morgan, for sharing your transition story and the reminder to re-evaluate: what's our purpose?  We hope you enjoy this episode and look forward to hearing your comments.

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tessie San Martin the CEO of FHI 360. We are honored to have her as our leader in this episode.  While there are many gold nuggets in this episode,  for me there are two that are the most compelling.The first is when Tessie reminds me that "we can do hard things."  Just look at how successfully the INGO sector pivoted in 2020, she points out.The second nugget is when Tessie talks leaning into the new normal and what that means for INGOs. "We have to reimagine. We are creating what's next in our industry. The settings in which our organizations were designed, if very different than how we are forced to operate today. The question for us now becomes: How can we be effective and how can we deliver?"Tessie began her leadership journey with Amigos de las Americas.  This is something that she and I have in common.  In this program youth volunteers went to Latin America for 3 to 5 weeks to participate in vaccination programs.  From that experience, Tessie began to realize what she was capable of doing."At a young age, I came out of this experience [working with Amigos de Las Americas] thinking 'I can do anything.' I earned a sense of self confidence, I learned how to make decisions, communicate with others, and lead."While working in different countries, Tessie shares that what she learned most in addition to outreach, community help, and vaccinations, was about herself.After volunteering internationally with Amigos de Las Americas for her first time as a sophomore in high school, the following 2 years she decided to return to volunteer but this time as a part of the staff in a management role. She was responsible for running a vaccination program which in her words taught her one critical thing:"I have never wanted to do anything else. I was hooked on the idea of making a difference and working with others. The international development bug bit me, and never let go."Our conversation went into leading in today's environment.  Tessie shares her perspective that "INGOS are operating in settings where we are not created to operate.” (At the 10 minute mark if you want to jump right to it.)What she means in this and explains is that INGOS, some of which were created decades ago, were not structurally created to face a global pandemic, hybrid working, racial injustice, the list from the past 2 years goes on and on. Her encouragement to acknowledge the hard things we have all conquered is notable and refreshing. Her observation is that it's time to create, try new things, and not force what once worked to where an organization is now.And then, one of my favorite parts of our conversation: INGOs can do hard things... “Collectively the global development sector has been through a lot. By and large we are on the other side of it but we have adapted and adjusted to rethink how our businesses and organizations needed to run. We can do hard things.”She continues, “We have to continue to reimagine in 2023. We are not ‘back to normal', we are creating a new normal.”Tessie shares her thoughts and plans on how to take the organization she leads, which has been around for over 50 years, into the future, through the trials of these past 2 years and out the other side. I highly suggest listening to this episode to be inspired and tactically supported.Thank you Tessie for sharing your leadership story, and for the much needed reminder; we can all do hard things.

This week, we have Uma Viswanathan, the Executive Director at New Pluralists Collaborative as our guest on Lessons from Leaders.What do you know about trauma and leadership? How do you think trauma helps with transformation and leadership? That is one of the many meaty topics Uma and I talk about.This episode kicks off with Uma sharing her experience as a child of an immigrant family and how that organically led her to a deep curiosity of people, their motivations, and perspectives. It was from this place of curiosity that ultimately led Uma to her position in leadership with New Pluralists.It is in our conversation about her unique world views that Uma shares her insights towards personal trauma and its place in a work organization.Uma says: “Some leaders think we need to be completely healed from trauma before we can lead, when actually the process of leading and being challenged allows us to grow in our capacity to digest and learn. Healing then happens while leading.”Uma also mentions that her organization has chosen an emergent strategy over a deliberate strategy which leans into unplanned actions and initiatives, leaping with faith unsure of the outcome.“We have set a goal with an emergent approach that requires collaborative efforts. The truth is, our goal is so big we need help. It is too big for our organization, solely. We made it so big purposefully because it causes us to think differently and transformatively.”As Uma continues she says something I had to write down: “Some people set goals that are too realistic. This way, they do exactly what they've always done. Instead, we took a leap of faith into uncertainty because in history, those are the decisions that have moved us.”The boldness, vulnerability, and nobility of Uma and her leadership shines in this episode. It is one of our most unique conversations to date and I can't wait to continue following Uma and New Pluralists on what I am sure will be more lessons learned on their pursuit of that big goal. Thank you Uma.

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, the President and CEO of Mercy Corps. We are honored to have her as our guest so shortly after her recent trip to Somalia.One of my favorite moments from this episode is the deep conversation with Tjada talking about courage (at 27 minutes if you want to jump right to it.)When I asked her what courage has to do with being a leader, she said: "There is a personal courage all leaders have because they are willing to say 'Hold me accountable' when they take on the role of a leader."She continues, “Courage is taking risks. If no one is upset or ruffled by your decisions, then you might not really be making change. There is courage in moving the status quo. What got you to where you are now is not the thing that will take you to the next level."Tjada shares her personal definition of courage (which I loved so much I jotted it down as she spoke):  "Courage is a willingness to be wrong, a willingness to admit you make mistakes, and a willingness to ask for help."Thank you Tjada for sharing your leadership story, and for your candor on this episode. You are leading Mercy Corp with courage and honesty even in the face of conflict. 

”If people aren't failing, then I think that possibly they are actually not pushing beyond the envelope. They are not innovating, or not going for that hard thing and stretching. That's why it is important to recognize and celebrate failure.” Michele LairdThis week I sat down with Michele Laird, the Senior VP for Programs at Pact. I love Michele's take on failure and the importance to try and be willing to fail, even sharing that when her family is sitting around the table for dinner she asks them, "What did you fail at today?"Michele talks about normalizing failure and encouraging looking at what may not have gone "correctly" and learn from what happened.She also shared a blurb from Janet Finch, the author of White Oleander, who says, “The Phoenix must burn to emerge.” Michele says that a big ‘burning failure' may not be the goal, but that the lessons learned from failure are ones she encourages all entrepreneurs, CEO's, and leaders, to use to further evolve.Evolution, innovation, reflection, and impact are all words Michele used to define values in her organization. Also discussing leading from love, Michele notes how leading from love can be a calming force to reaction in the face of mistakes, unexpected turmoil, or failures."Having conversations from your heart is really important and people will feel that, hear that, and understand they are safe. They will understand they can try new things and if it doesn't go as planned, that's okay.... it helps us to react and lead better."Michele wisdom on her core values and principles in this episode is palpable. Thank you to Pact for sharing another organization member with us this week, we are so grateful!To connect with Pact: HomeTo connect with Michele Laird on Twitter: Michele_LairdTo connect with Michele Laird on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelelaird/?viewAsMember=true

This week I sat down with Janti Soeripto, the President and CEO of Save The Children US. Janti's story of leadership is diverse and unique in her experience. With 20 years in the consumer sector, selling tissues, diapers, and -- as she mentions -- even frozen peas, she shares the similarities and the differences in her leadership upbringing to where she is now. This episode is not just a must listen because of Janti's story to leadership, but because of our conversation regarding her story of her current leadership. When we started talking about what it is like to lead in this climate of the ever changing workforce, social injustice, a pandemic, and much more, here is what Janti started with: "You have to be constantly adaptive... The process of planning, thinking of the worst thing that could happen, and thinking of the best thing that could happen, while that is valuable, but do not put too much emphasis on what the outcome could be months from now, because who could have predicted what was going to happen [in the last 2 years]. Let it go. Stay curious about what we don't know."Janti is a seeker of knowledge, innovation, and wisdom, it is something I deeply admire and loved to glean from in this episode. I am excited to share this with you and look forward to your takeaways. Thank you Janti for sharing your time, your story, and your insights.

This week I sat down with Mishelle Rudzinski, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of SPOON. Mishelle's story of leadership and co-founding an organization is one like many leaders: She saw a need and decided to fill it. Her leadership story began at a deeply personal level with the adoption of her daughter. A journey which included an incorrect diagnosis, and severe malnourishment. It was her own daughter's experience with malnutrition that led to the research of children everywhere who have been living outside of families in what is termed as residential care."We couldn't find any solid answers, and we couldn't find any organizations that were addressing this. We thought we would go volunteer somewhere but we couldn't find an organization. This led to us reaching out to the right people, networking with them, and saying together: 'Let's solve the problem.' That led to the beginning of SPOON."Mishelle's questioning and her curiosity around finding a need and taking it step by step, without getting stopped by the 'how', is just the beginning of her inspirational journey in leadership. I am excited to share this episode with you and look forward to your takeaways. Thank you Mishelle for sharing your story and your organization not just with us, but with the world. https://youtu.be/cjuxqeJjtyY

Lucia Nasser, President for Vital Voices in Honduras joins us in the leader's chair to share about Vital Voices, coming back to in person post pandemic, and a personal story about the deep dive into personal growth and what that has to do with leadership.“When we think of leadership, we usually think of a leader's skills. We focus on the 'what', the 'where', the 'how' and the 'why'. In my personal journey, I have found that the 'who' is very important. Who is that leader? Who is the one coming up with these ideas?” Lucia tells us in this episode. The take away I would encourage all leaders to pull from this episode is practicing a pause in your day, to identify those important questions Lucia describes: What do you want to accomplish? Where will you focus? And who do you want to be?It is easy to get caught up in tasks lists and responsibilities, thinking of what a ‘normal leader' does or should do, but as Lucia mentions, “This [questioning and thinking] has allowed me to see things differently, to see things with more liberty. Now, my leadership is full of freedom and openness, where before I was more rigid and full of preconceived notions that things had to be a certain way.”This is a great episode for every leader needing a reset on their passion and purpose.Thank you Lucia for being courageous and joining me in this episode.

In this episode, Ashok Regmi, Executive Director of Street Law, Inc. shares his leadership path with us.Originally from Nepal, his leadership trajectory started when he worked to establish the first FM channel to use the power of radio to engage and develop a concept to bring education to his community.He came to the US for schooling, but it was outside of the classroom that he learned real life strategies of leadership sharing. “Development works well when people closest to the problems are put into leadership and they own the solutions. This was the philosophy for how I worked through my career. I would ask, ‘How do we get the people on the local level, and put them in the decision making platforms and spaces?'”Today, Ashok works with Street Law, Inc. to leverage the power of education to empower people for justice.I learned a lot from Ashok in our conversation and took quite a few notes for my own journey. I hope you do the same.Thank you Ashok for sitting down with me and sharing your journey, it was a pleasure!

Kate Moynihan is with us this week. I have known Kate for years and have always admired her leadership savvy.Kate is the Executive Director of Seva Foundation, a foundation working in over 20 countries to increase the capacity of local hospitals, and develop sustainable eye care programs.Kate, like nearly all leaders, has seen a drastic change in leadership over the course of the pandemic. She talks about her role as an executive for a non-profit organization during a time of such discord and how she leaned into purpose first. Prioritizing "the why" in what she was doing allowed her to stick to her instincts to realign and reaffirm within the organization.You will also hear Kate discuss the importance of setting personal boundaries and figuring out how to create a balance between work and personal life. She shares her ideas on how to disconnect from work. We could all use a boost in that.Thank you, Kate!

I am here with Polly Dunford, the President and CEO of IntraHealth International. Polly has been someone we have been trying to get on our podcast for a long time - since she took this role at IntraHealth in March of 2020.“It was a crazy time to take over an organization. I started on March 16th, the exact day that the world went virtual…”In this episode, Polly shares what it felt like to meet staff virtually. She shares about her role, not as the CEO, but as the self identified CPO – Chief People Officer - focusing on supporting her team members during a challenging time period.How does she think about doing everything remotely? “The virtual workspace has been an opportunity to even the playing field…”Listen to hear about what an even playing field looks like in her organization and how the virtual workspace led to unexpected relationship building.What I appreciate so much about Polly and her entry into leadership at IntraHealth it is her flexibility - letting go of her own plan and shifting her focus from big thinking and thought leadership to helping staff find childcare, support for eldercare, and the deeply personal needs outside of the office space.In addition to leading through the beginning of COVID-19 and the pandemic, Polly talks about leading through the tragic murder of George Floyd and how it rocked her organization to focus even more on equity, inclusivity, and actively participating in social justice efforts.I can't begin to write and acknowledge all of the lessons Polly shares with us in under 20 minutes. There is vital information in this episode for leaders and organizations everywhere. Stories to relate to, lessons to learn from, and struggles that have been very real for so many.Thank you Polly for sitting down with me and for being an admirable leader through and through!

This week is a special episode as we have a Lessons from Leaders Alumni, William (Bill) Abrams, and the successor to his position at Trickle Up, Nathalie Laidler Kylander.  This episode is unique in that we are able to walk through their experience of transitioning from one CEO to another, including what the overlap time looked like, how they walked it with grace and respect for one another, and how their leadership “trickled down” through the entire organization.Both are self-proclaimed non-traditional CEO's, and have much to share about leading right now. I appreciated hearing from Nathalie about her expectations coming into Trickle Up, her perceptions of Bill's transition out, and how she prepared to take over this organization.From Bill, we hear a different perspective about what it feels and looks like to transition out of an organization, what he looked for in a successor, and how he prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally.The New York Times suggested 'Transition' as the word of the year in 2021, and there was no shortage of that at Trickle Up and many organizations across the globe. I am honored to sit down with two incredible leaders who can now shine the light on their journey last year, the learnings, the wins, the trials, and also, where the future is headed.Thank you Nathalie and Bill! 

This week, we have Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, as our guest on Lessons from Leaders.As I have long been watching the work of The Carter Center, it is a pleasure to sit down with Paige.We jump right into the conversation:What is it like to lead right now?How has communication changed?What are you hearing from your organization?Transparency, authenticity, and togetherness, are all qualities that Paige demonstrates.  She admits that it took her time and effort to find the balance of the right amount of communication within her team and organization. The lesson she has learned and shares with us around organizational communication is a vital one.“There is so much noise out there. People say there is no such thing as over-communication [referring to meaningful communication] but I think since we spend so much time at our screens  - and keeping up with our inboxes - that we, in fact,  may be over-communicating.” - Paige AlexanderThank you, Paige,  for your time, lessons, and for your baking tips (you have to listen in for that.)  In this episode, Paige quotes former President Jimmy Carter, and I would like to echo her in leaving you with this:“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” - Jimmy Carter—About PaigePaige Alexander joined The Carter Center as chief executive officer in June 2020. Paige has had a distinguished global development career with over two decades of experience spanning the government and nonprofit sectors. She has held senior leadership positions at two regional bureaus of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), covering missions and development programs in 25 countries.

This week I sit down with Indira Kaur Ahluwalia, whose work I was initially drawn to  due to all she has been doing for racial and ethnic equity. Indira has built her career on enabling equality systemically on the strength of individual differences initially establishing Development and Training Services (dTS) in 2002 to build gender equality and social inclusion.  I like to say she comes to this seat with 3 hats which gives her viewpoint of leadership a dynamic lens. CEO, author, strategic advisor, she is leading the charge on calling out racial inequity. “We need to understand and recognize that we have to start at the core of building racial and ethnic equity.”  How do you make an impact and difference in racial inequity globally? “We have to get out own houses in order.” I love that statement.  Indira shares with us who the leaders are and who they are not; meaning where diversity lives and where is lacks. There is a way to take action and get involved as you will hear in this episode through the pledge. Check out our links below to get connected.  This episode is already a favorite in the Lessons from Leaders office and we are eager for you to listen, and get active on this important issue.  Connect with Indira: Read her book: Fast Forward to Hope –  You Tube Indiegogo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BsczvNyuEE Website: https://www.fastforwardtohope.com You will hear CREED mentioned a few times in this interview. The website is live here:  www.CREEDinAction.orgAs well as social media account here:  Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Direct Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indira-ahluwalia/ KAUR Strategies: Overview | LinkedIn Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndiraKaurA https://twitter.com/KaurStrategies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indirakaur.ahluwalia/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiraahluwalia/

This week I sit with John Stephens who is the CEO of The BOMA Project. John brings a unique leadership lens to his position with BOMA because he has served as a board member, a position for an organization that was funding BOMA, and then interim CEO. From each role, John was able to grow his view of how to best service the organization. “It helped me launch, having those close relationships with board members. I knew what was important to them. I knew how the board functioned. I think often times, new CEO's get overly focused on the organization and programs. They tend to not think about the board as a vital organ of the organization, giving it the attention it deserves.”What is quite eye opening in this episode is John's ability to merge his three lenses to give insight, advice, and feedback that, used properly, can strengthen an organization, their board, and their staff's relationships. Thank you John for giving our listeners a new perspective and helpful action steps to build bonds and strengthen teams. https://youtu.be/jyZcbUU3Iq8

Wild Network has been a strong, and foundational support of the Lessons from Leaders podcast over the last 3 years so to have Fiona here with me today is amazing! I like to call our first interaction a meeting of two sisters from different mothers, it was instant connection and friendship. In this episode, we start by discussing vision. Fiona has such a gift of seeing where things can grow and be made stronger sharing, “When I have conviction about something that needs to be done, I believe I can be a catalyst for that change. I believe other people will care too.”The WILD Network is the Women Innovators and Leaders Network. “Right now there is focus on women's leadership. Supporting great leaders at all stages of their career to be even greater, and supporting strong organizations to be even stronger." (Fiona Macaulay) This episode is one of our most empowering yet. I adore Fiona's ability to manifest and vision cast. Her belief is contagious. Here are some things you can expect to hear: What is social innovation Overcoming Fears Asking and Accepting Help The power of belief Setting up small, actionable steps The virtual 2022 Women in Global Development Leadership Forum - taking place May 16-19 -  supports the development of strong and inclusive leaders from across the global development sector. Learn more about WILD Forum to 2022 Women in Global development Leadership Forum here:  www.WILDleadershipForum.org  

Welcome back, leaders. We hope that this new year brings innovation and reaching new limits. It is so exciting to start off the new year with leader Brigit Helms, who is the Executive Director at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University. Brigit's impact has reached corners of the world from Africa, to Asia, to Costa Rica, Latin America, and beyond. In her travels and experience, it is 'safe' to say nothing quite prepared her for entering a new role at a new organization just 6 months into a global pandemic. Meeting the new team, ecosystem players, and staff all had to happen, as she says, in 2 dimensions, on Zoom. "I have a deep connection on how to build excellent teams. It is grounded on a deep sense of trust... That is very difficult to build when you don't know people and haven't seen them in person." Just like so many leaders, Brigit had to pivot what she knew to adjust to the pandemic's standards. As a self proclaimed student of organization transformation and leadership, she learned about The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni. This became her secret weapon and playbook. It was a pleasure to sit in the chair with Brigit, learn step by step how she took her team from strangers to a trusted bond, and how she continues to do so. As we enter our third year of the pandemic world, it is our goal here to continue bringing you the tools, tips, and sometimes tricks, of those who have experienced 'success' in leading virtually. Thank you, Brigit, for your optimism and ideas! 

Our last episode of the new year has arrived and we are thrilled to be in the chair with Caroline Anstey. As we wrap 2021, it feels right to be with Caroline, the CEO of Pact who began her role just 2 days after the national lock down. It is safe to say the leaders 5 years ago would have never imagined virtually leading organizations. At the beginning of the pandemic there was large concern over losing touch, not getting to know or connect with teams, and hearing Caroline's experience is not just hopeful and relatable, but something I want other organizations to hear and try themselves. “We are communicating through Zoom. No one is getting to meet anyone else. There is not standing around in a coffee bar…. I get to know them in a way I would have never gotten to if we were in an office.” Think of the last time you zoomed with your team, did a dog bark? Do you know that dog's name? Would you have known their name if you had been exclusively working in an office? Has a spouse or partner walked behind the screen during a call? Do you know anything about the person?Zoom has taken the world virtual but allowed room for personal conversation, connection, and growth. Caroline, thank you for the reminder that even though we are still “mostly” online, there is so much to be learned when we show up and listen. 

"How do we start healing so we can see each other?" On this day, in late November, the month of gratitude, I sat in pure amazement listening to Vivian Anderson speak on her journey, experience, and passions. What began as watching a viral video led to years of dedicated, door-knocking, on the ground work. "I can't watch another child being harmed," Vivian shares. Which is what drove her from New York, down to the deep south where Pandora's box as she called it was opened. Trauma. Deep rooted racism. On a platform like Lessons from Leaders, we are fortunate to hear leaders tell their stories in an open, authentic format. Vivian, thank you for being a guest and taking us with you on the incredible work you do. We are encouraging all of our guests to follow, comment, like, and share the mission of EveryBlackGirl Inc. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everyblackgirl/?hl=enFunding, Website and More: https://linktr.ee/EveryBlackGirl

This week I sit down with Susan Sygall, who co-founded Mobility International USA over 40 years ago. “With a donation of $500, it all began.”We shared a laugh as Susan mentioned this, because $500 has turned into 40 years, and incredible, life changing impact for so many. Susan, a wheelchair rider, has a personal and professional commitment to disability rights, as well as women's issues. She saw the need, the lack of inclusivity and took action that has now lead to impact across 100+ countries. “Why not me?” she says. This is a recurring theme not just in our call but in the foundation at Mobility International USA. Susan is a passionate advocate, a cheerleader, and mentor who has inspired me deeply from this conversation. It is a pleasure to share this episode and today I encourage you to look at your goals, your dreams, specifically the ones that seem too far out of reach and ask yourself, “Why not me?”Thank you Susan. 

Welcome back, we are thrilled to host Esther Benjamin, CEO and Executive Director of World Education Services.I have known Esther for many years, through organizations and position changes; it is fulfilling to see the successes she has accomplished and contributions she has made, and to be able to share those moments with you.From Sri Lanka, her family was seeking opportunity which Esther has created time and time again for herself and others, living, working, and traveling in over 100 countries, and organizations across sectors.Summarizing all of the journey together, Esther said, “The theme through my work experience would be: drive impact at scale.”International students, refugees, immigrants, are at the heart of the work of World Education Services. Real empathy and appreciation come authentically from her own personal experience of immigrating to the United States.Real. Honest. Hopeful. Those are the words I would use to describe this episode. Can't wait for you to listen.

“I was reading recently, about the return to office post Covid. You have a window to try new things and re-imagine your work place because it will get harder in the next few months.”Jeanne has been someone I have been wanting to sit down with for months. As the President and CEO of Internews, an international media support nonprofit, I felt who could be better to sit in the leaders chair during a time where news, honestly, and information has seemingly been so difficult to come by. I have found for so many leaders, looking back on 2020, it is easy to think, “I should have done this or that.” The reality is, when I look back at episodes from the heat of the pandemic, we were all just trying to stay afloat. Keep our teams together. Find peace. Jeanne brings up a great example of her timing in transition as well as a piece of advice for upcoming CEO's. As President and CEO of Internews, Jeanne Bourgault leads the strategic management of the organization and its programs in more than 60 countries around the world.Follow along with Internews on Twitter @InternewsThank you! https://youtu.be/FYj4L4dyUmY

Welcome back to Lessons from Leaders. This week, we are with Ann Warner, CEO of Women's Rights and Empowerment Network - WREN. “It is a privilege to be a CEO but it is also lonely, hard and exhausting. To try and figure it out where there is no formula, where the work is difficult — we are working on reproductive rights, economic dignity and justice, fighting against abortion bans and anti-trans bills….This is a tough context to do this.”Ann is driven, enduring, flexible, and beautifully well-spoken. Talking to her about, what I claimed is her spiral to WREN, was nothing short of inspired. It is tough. The work is tough. The more leaders I have the opportunity to sit down with, the more I am aware of how hard these organizations work to fight for justice, peace, equality, etc., which is taxing on both the mind and body daily. It is the grit and the grace that Ann demonstrates that I cherished in our conversation, and I look forward to you hearing it! Ann Warner leads strategic visioning and planning for WREN in partnership with the Board of Directors, as well as management of a talented team, resource mobilization, and program and policy development and evaluation.Follow along with Ann and her team at @WRENetwork on Twitter. https://youtu.be/binEvMN1bD0

Jeff Whisenant is an experienced leader in the nonprofit sector, with more than 30 years of experience in international development and relief, the president and CEO of ReSurge International. We were thrilled to welcome him to the Lessons from Leaders chair where he is refreshingly open and honest about diversity, equity, inclusion, and gratitude. "There were times where I brought my whole self. But my whole self was 25%. Colleagues stepped up and carried me through those days, I am very grateful for that."

In this episode, Jovana begins with walking us down her journey to leadership. Jovana has been a member of IPPFWHR's Board of Directors since 2014. She assumed the role of Chair in 2017 at the age of 28, making her the youngest Board Chair in IPPFWHR's history, which is only just the beginning of the amazing accomplishments made by her. Quickly I found how passionate about women's stories Jovana is. She has created a space for conversation, story telling, and lessons that has led to an eye opening understanding of rights, or lack thereof. Her age and experience make a glorious fit for her role with IPPFWHR. Fresh. Aware. Compassionate. Jovana proudly embodies IPPFWHR's organizational commitment to Global South leadership. In this role, she is inspired to continue advancing IPPFWHR's transformation to an intersectional feminist ecosystem.Thank you Jovana for your time on Lessons from Leaders! https://youtu.be/uZRxNQ8FxRA

“I didn't wake up and decide it's time to build a crowdfunding platform for a global community of 1.8 million Muslims. I didn't even think about being an entrepreneur.” This week I sit down with Amany Killawi, who has had such a unique and inspiring journey to where she is now, an honoree by INK Magazine's top female founder. Amany is the co-founder and COO of LaunchGood: a global crowdfunding platform for campaigns, projects and creative ideas. She is a social worker turned social entrepreneur who through LaunchGood has raised over 15 million for 1,500+ projects, impacting 70+ countries. One thing I loved about this episode was the comparison of a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset. Amany is a true, acting growth mindset leader who has allowed space of transition and evolution in her career. This episode is particularly inspirational for anyone interested in a transition be it for an organizational change, or positional change, I encourage you to listen, learn, and take the change. Thank you Amany! https://youtu.be/ZZZwigJKA-8

This podcast platform inspires me daily. The leaders that come “sit in the chair” leave me feeling hopeful, empowered, and encouraged each time. It is a pure gift to share the space with them. Today, I share an extraordinary episode with the incredible DeAnna Hoskins, CEO and President of Just Leadership. She shares her deepest motto, what speaks to her, and her guiding light. I just loved one of the things she shared in regards to not losing herself, not losing her power or impact saying, “What I am not going to do is hinder my voice.” There is a message in there for everyone at every level of leadership. Leadership is not determined by title; every person can bring a leadership quality and use it no matter the ‘title.'Thank you DeAnna for sharing the space with me this week. It was an honor. 00:00 - 02:30 Meet DeAnna02:30 - 07:30 How she got here 07:30 - 8:30 Funding x Non Profits 8:30 - 12:00 Your expertise and how to thrive 12:00 - 15:00 Mantra x Mottos15:00 - 17:30 Delegation 17:30 - 20:00 Self Care20:00 - 25:00 Shifting into Overdrive 25:00 - 27:00 Getting back up 27:00 - 32:00 Rising Above32:00 - 35:00 Stress x Fear vs. Jumping 35:00 - 37:00 Closing with DeAnna

What is something you learned, perhaps as a child or adolescent, that you have since had to unlearn as you grew into an adult? I recently read an article about just a few of the many things adults have to unlearn, and as leaders, these were the top three:People's expectations of you are your responsibility. Your value in an organization is based solely on the income you can bring in. You must work as much as possible to show your commitment, loyalty, and worth. I share these because, on today's special episode, I sit down with our youngest leader yet who is deep in the unlearning. Kobe Smith LLB, Director, International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR) walks me through the importance of recognizing things in life that may have been taught wrong, like those listed above, namely, feeling responsible for others expectations. “As leaders, we may not always stand in our truth. We think about what the others in the room think about the decisions that we make. I want to be a leader that stands in my truth.”Thank you Kobe, for taking the time to share your insights and fresh perspective. I look forward to your bright journey ahead! 00:00 - 08:30 | Meet Kobe Smith & His Organization08:30 - 15:00 | Loss Leads to Motivation15:00 - 20:00 | Leadership & Disagreements20:00 - 25:00 | Leave the Yes (wo)man behind 25:00 - 30:00 | Standing in Truth 30:00 - 32:00 | Allyship32:00 | Closing 

I am excited to bring this episode to you this week. This episode was actually recorded right at the 1-year mark of the pandemic, making the candor and honesty that Giselle Carino brings, fitting. Giselle Carino is the CEO of the International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR), which on June 3, 2020 launched a new feminist alliance through the combination of the work with the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC). I appreciate so much about Giselle, namely her innovation and authenticity. I asked specifically for Giselle to share about her creative leadership take and I can't wait for you to listen to what types of changes they made, to fulfill their mission. “Things are very hard in this field, and yet we have to find ways to do the work. In the past, we have traveled through mountains and rivers to get contraception to women, and this time it was the pandemic.”So how did they meet their mission while being shut down due to the crisis? Listen in, get inspired, reroute your thinking, and join Giselle in honoring and embracing change, improvisation and flexibility. https://youtu.be/fj7RPkbTerQ

His first episode has had a beautiful response and impact on leaders everywhere, and this week part 2 feels just as deeply valuable in its content.I am back for Part 2 of my conversation with Oussama Mezoui, CEO of Penny Appeal USA. Oussama starts this second part off in a way that feels deeply reflective.“Am I thinking about climate change in my decision-making? Am I thinking about gender issues or mental health issues? Am I thinking about racial issues in how I lead and are we a best practice organization?” Oussama mentions this is a shortlist to the many issues leaders are currently facing but what I found so impactful was the simplicity of his questions.If we as leaders could think through this question lens before each decision, how would it change your day-to-day and outcomes? Thank you, Oussama, for this gentle but necessary reminder.Here's what you will learn:Why racial justice deserves a closed conversationBuilding organizational cultureIdentifying your non-negotiablesPart Two is now live.

I recently read an article about how the pandemic “leveled the playing field” for innovation. Small businesses took the opportunity to switch their beer and wine production to hand sanitizer, which grew their margins exponentially, restaurants were able to create space for customer “grocery shopping” experiences, and some have even called the pandemic an accelerant for the pace of social and technological change serving as ‘a great equalizer.' Shortly after reading this article, I had a sit down with this week's guest, Oussama Mezoui, the CEO of Penny Appeal USA, who started off our conversation with, “This is a great leveler. We as leaders can't pretend we have ever been through a pandemic before. There is no tool kit we can google on how to lead through a pandemic.”It is true, there has been no guidebook, no business blueprint on surviving and thriving in a global pandemic, however, in my experience there has been a new wave of leadership community. Vulnerability has replaced scarcity and conversations like the one I had with Oussama more valuable than gold. I am grateful for this chat and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. You can expect to learn:How the pandemic allows you to reflect and test valuesThe importance of questioning your assumptions How to grow in your leadership skills Thank you, Oussama for your time! Part one is now live.

When I started communicating with Emily Courey Pryor last spring, I knew right away that I wanted to have her on the podcast. Her previous experiences, her current work leading Data2X, and her passion for equality and leadership were all things that our listeners needed to hear. Then the pandemic hit, followed by a significant reversal of progress on gender equality, all while leading a busy organization and working from home with two small children. A year later, I am overjoyed to share with you what feels like the perfect episode for 2021."One of the important things that I have a learned as a leader, and as a working parent, is when you have to say 'I need a minute.'" This opening statement from Emily set the foundation for our conversation. Patience, awareness, and understanding are all qualities I am inspired by in Emily, not to mention her innovation, curiosity, and flexibility. The work Data2X is doing on gender data is just as intriguing as Emily’s leadership qualities. You can learn more about Data2X’s work here: http://data2x.org.  Thank you, Emily, for sharing "real life" during a pandemic as well as your passion for gender data and its relevance for the lives of women & girls everywhere. Enjoy!During my sit down with Emily, SHOW NOTES:0:00 - 3:00 | Intro 3:00 - 7:00 | What is Data2x7:00 - 10:00 | Gender Data 10:00 - 13:00 | Curiosity and Innovation 13:00 - 21:00 | Flexibility, Adaptability, and Empathy21:00 - 25:30 | ROI on Empathy25:30 - 30:00 | Motherhood Lessons in Leadership30:00 - 35:00 | Advice to Emily's Younger Self 35:00 | Closinghttps://youtu.be/0SeGXokwONQ

In a time where the world continues to feel deep sorrow, stress, and strife, I am encourage by the leaders who brave the storm like Michelle Nunn, CEO of CARE. I have such a fondness of CARE as I used to work for a likeminded NGO previously and this feels like an extension of my heart projects. When I asked Michelle what she has learned as a leader in crisis, she said “I had to learn things anew & challenge our preconceptions. I tend towards an optimistic sensibility which hasn’t always served well in the last year. I need to surround myself with those who think about the worst case scenarios.” This is something I have seen leaders avoid; the discomfort of differing views, of recognizing the hardships, and accepting the trials. I am inspired by Michelle’s ability to face this head on. Thank you Michelle for your time and your advice on facing crisis. SO many nuggets in this one! 0:00 - 3:00 | Meet Michelle 3:00 - 7:00 | One Year in Crisis7:00 - 9:30 | Lessons Learned as Leaders in Crisis 9:30 - 11:00 | Being Uncomfortable & Having Courage11:00 - 13:30 | Advice for Young Leaders 13:00 - 17:00 | Fail Forward 17:00 - 19:30 | Reflection 19:30 - 21:00 | Closing with Michellehttps://youtu.be/vP_8SBRoqgs

Each week it is an honor and privilege to sit down with leaders from across the world to learn, to listen, and to share, but this week is particularly heartfelt as I have the chance to share with you, listener, one of my favorite people. Meet Dr. Kozhi Makai. "In many ways I have an acquaintance with what it means to have moments of wisdom and to turn around the next moment and make a dumb decision. I love to see that part of the human condition. Meeting people who are like me but don't look like me but in many ways act, feel, behave like I do, it's something I absolutely love. In what ways can I learn today to be me a bit better than I was yesterday? What actions can I take to be better tomorrow."One of the (many) reasons I wanted to sit down with Dr. Makai was for his insights into organizational culture. Of course it was quick for him to share that it begins with his outlook, his foundation, and his mindset. As I love to quote, "Leaders bring the weather" and never a statement more true than with Dr. Makai.I'd love to hear your thoughts on this dynamic episode. Culture, DEI, Inclusion, Time... we tackle a lot in a short 40 minutes. Thank you Dr. Makai for your light & your positivity! SHOW TIMES 0:00 - 3:00 | Meet Dr. Makai 3:00 - 4:00 | Better than yesterday 4:00 - 8:00 | Curiosity & Connection8:00 - 11:30 | Expanding Comfort 11:30 - 15:00  | Time 15:00 - 24:00 | Culture 24:00 - 32:00 | Aspirations & Guiding Principles 32:00 - 38:00 | Transformation & Engagement  38:00 - 41:00 | Closing with Dr. Makai

This week I have celebrate a first. My first all Spanish episode with the incredible Belmar, Director of an NGO named LaFAM in Venezuela.Belmar Franceschi is an admirable leader working in difficult circumstances because of the pandemic and the political crisis.  People from Venezuela have migrated to different countries. Doctors in hospitals have left and other professionals also. Venezuela has a poor health system.The main areas they are working is with girls and women in their reproductive age, family planning, and offer birth control pills in their clinics and advocacy. During lockdown, people suffered stress and even family violence, the organization had to advise in how to report this the to authorities.Quick decisions were made in small groups to support their clients and personnel.  They worked in closed doors. As a contingency plan they reserved funds to cancel payroll and projects were suspended as they did not have sufficient funds to make other payments. Patients cancelled small fees for their services and medicines. These funds are used for buying medicines and other office supplies for the clinics.They are supporting elderly persons as they are alone seeking for medical treatments.  They prioritized decisions even though sometimes they might fail. Meeting in groups so that personnel could talk about their problems or stress with the support of the psychologists working in the organization. For staff well-being they celebrate birthdays, buy small gifts and their food. A challenge they have is finding well qualified personnel especially in the financial area and also other professionals.  SPANISH SHOW NOTESBelmar FranceschiBelmar es el Director de una ONG llamada LaFAM en Venezuela.Belmar Franceschi es un líder admirable que trabaja en circunstancias difíciles debido a la pandemia y la crisis política. Personas de Venezuela han emigrado a diferentes países. Han salido médicos en hospitales y otros profesionales también. Venezuela tiene un sistema de salud deficiente.Las áreas principales en las que están trabajando son las niñas y mujeres en edad reproductiva, la planificación familiar y ofrecen píldoras anticonceptivas en sus clínicas y actividades de promoción. Durante el encierro, las personas sufrieron estrés e incluso violencia familiar, la organización tuvo que asesorar sobre cómo denunciar esto a las autoridades.Crearon sus propias políticas para trabajar en el espacio de trabajo virtual. La violencia contra las mujeres durante la crisis y la denuncia a las autoridades fueron gestionadas a través de llamadas telefónicas por sus psicólogos que trabajaban desde casa. Las píldoras anticonceptivas y otros métodos se distribuyeron a los pacientes de forma gratuita en sus diferentes clínicas. Abrieron servicios para pacientes oncólogos y otros servicios médicos.Se tomaron decisiones rápidas en pequeños grupos para apoyar a sus clientes y personal. Trabajaron a puertas cerradas. Como plan de contingencia se reservaron fondos para cancelar la nómina y se suspendieron los proyectos por no contar con fondos suficientes para realizar otros pagos. Los pacientes cancelaron pequeñas tarifas por sus servicios y medicamentos. Estos fondos se utilizan para comprar medicamentos y otros suministros de oficina para las clínicas.Están apoyando a las personas mayores que están solas en busca de tratamientos médicos.Priorizaron las decisiones aunque a veces pudieran fallar. Reunirse en grupos para que el personal hable de sus problemas o estrés con el apoyo de los psicólogos que trabajan en la organización. Para el bienestar del personal, celebran cumpleaños, compran pequeños obsequios y su comida.Un desafío que tienen es encontrar personal bien calificado especialmente en el área financiera y también otros profesionales.

It is amazing to be into our second year, and have guests from our first year return. When these leaders first sat down in the Lessons from Leaders chair in 2019, Covid-19 was unknown, racial injustice was very much real but without the global lens it deserved, and has now, and leaders were unaware of an incoming pandemic. This week, I sit back down with Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground. When I reflect on our previous episode with Shamil, our conversation surrounded scaling your business, team building, and how to ‘show up’ for your organization. While all of those topics still hold value, our conversation this time looks far different. “This has been, for us, and for billions of people… a particularly difficult year but thankfully our employees have been healthy and we have made it through organizationally. We have had many people step up to help.” In this episode, we walk through the deep impact of organizational culture,  employee engagement, and signs to look for in team communication, even in a virtual workspace. Shamil, thank you for coming back and joining us. I am curious and hopeful to our conversation a year from now. Show Notes:0:00 - 3:00 | Introduction, Check In 3:00 - 12:00 | Organizational Culture 12:00 - 15:00 | Team Engagement & Communication15:00 - 18:00 | Signs of Integration 18:00 - 19:00 | Presentation vs Engagement 19:00 - 27:00 | Challenges as a Leader Right Now 27:00 - 28:00 | Closing Episode

This week I sat down with Cynthia Cherrey, CEO of the International Leadership Association. Cynthia is a resilient and poised leader who, as you will hear me say during our interview, “I wish I had had on 3 times by now.” On the heels of International Women’s Day, during our conversation regarding gender equality, Cynthia shares, “There are things we can do. It goes back to the small scale, what can we take that is doable, that has an impact in our community. What are the nuggets that we can use to make impact.” In a time where the issues and trials seem so large, I am grateful for Cynthia’s reminder of one step at a time, one “nugget” at a time. Cynthia’s experience is vast and if you would like to read more about her journey and more about the International Leadership Association, I encourage you to take a moment and head to: https://theila.org/ila-conferences/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1pyCBhCtARIsAHaY_5f5iJZUKO_IQ1xX4OeZOwXN3Y23PE7b9BYiF2qpP71ahNPod_9Dp1QaAlK7EALw_wcB. Show Notes0:00 - 2:30 | Episode Intro 2:30 - 5:00 | Crucibles of Business 5:00 - 10:30 | Decision Making during Crisis 10:30 - 14:00 | Amplifying Weakness & Impact 14:00 - 18:00 | Interconnection & Interdependency 18:00 - 22:00 | Unpacking Systems 22:00 - 25:00 | Learn More About the International Leadership Association25:00 - 27:00 | Closing Thank you Cynthia!https://youtu.be/y1MQzJhNwcc

This week I sit down with Shawna Bader-Blau, who leads the Solidarity Center, and dive into the uncomfortable. I am inspired by Shawna's intention and interest in experiencing the deepest discomfort in an effort to grow. "I have paused a lot this year. I have taken moments to look and evaluate and say, there is racism, there is feminism, there is so much of this in our society.... I take time in that discomfort, I hear it, I learn from it, I take a minute to be in it so I can feel the importance of it."Shawna's boldness and courage are two things I would love for you to take with you in your day and decision making. Thank you so much to her for sitting down with me to talk through the messy middle we find ourselves in. 00:00 - 02:30 | Introduction & Check in 02:30 - 4:00 | Learned through the Pandemic, Racial Injustice, Hardship 4:00 - 10:00 | Importance of Connection 10:00 - 15:30 | Weakness Spotlighting 15:30 - 20:00 | Standing in Discomfort 20:00 - 25:00 | Leaders Lesson in Courage 25:00 - 27:00 | Closing

I am starting this episode off with a note to Washington DC. I am in the DMV area. For those not native to this area, that is short hand for: Virginia, Washington or Maryland.At the beginning of 2021, with our best efforts, and our most realistic expectations, many of us still had feelings of hope that when the clock struck 12 on January 31st, and we were no longer in 2020, that something would happen and our previous anxieties, struggles, worries, and fears would simply disappear. That concept fled quickly on January 6th, when the sobering attack at the capitol reminded us all that we were in the thick of not just a medical pandemic, but a cultural war. This episode may be one of our most insightful yet. I sat down with Maureen Dwyer, of Sitar Art Center just a few days after the capitol events on January 6th and being a business located in the heart of downtown with most members being of color, she had the clearest view of how leaders can and should rise above. "We had actually scheduled on January 6th for our members to come to the office. When we saw what was occurring at the capitol, we cancelled anyone coming in. I did not want to risk any chance of anything happening to anyone walking to the center, as many of our members walk or take public transport. We discussed the idea of holding a forum... we wrote to our community. We are here to be a community of support and want to get a response to them."As she spoke through the days events, our conversation shifted to being a leader, forced to lead through a fearful state in live time and this is what she had to say: "It is okay to not be okay. It is okay for my team to express anxiety and concern. I lead the way by doing that myself. I don't want to worry them, but I can own what I am experiencing."Maureen, Washington DC, business owners and members alike, thank you for your resilience and your strength. This episode is one I hope everyone has a moment to listen to, particularly if you are not in the DMV area. Show Times: 0:00 - 2:00 - Introduction 2:00 - 3:00 - Being a business in Washington DC during a pandemic 3:00 - 6:00 - Leading during the Capitol Crisis 6:00 - 10:00 - Leadership Qualities10:00 - 13:00 - Leadership Non Negotiable 13:00 - 15:30 - Courage & Discomfort in Leadership 15:30 - 18:00 - Mistakes and Leadership 18:00 - 21:30 - Covid Adaptations 21:30 - 25:00 - What I would tell myself... 25:00 - End - Closing thoughts https://youtu.be/LTWMDoukiJ8

I am back this week with Part 2 of my episode with Katherine Grainger, Partner at Civitas Public Affairs Group. The feedback from episode one has been nothing short of humbling. I am grateful that you have enjoyed and appreciated her candor and authenticity the way I have. This week we dive right back in leading with a lesson in discomfort. "My normal response to discomfort is to fix it, put it away, pass through it. But innovation comes from discomfort.... I want to unlearn what I am an 'expert in.'" As a teach, Katherine mentions honoring the ability to be consistently challenged in what she already knows by the curious minds of her students. This causes her to always be researching, listening, and learning. Show Times: 0:00 - 1:00 | Introduction 1:00 - 8:00 | Vulnerability Application 8:00 - 9:00 | Political Context x Vulnerability 9:00 - 13:00 | Changing the Leadership Rules 13:00 - 17:00 | Standing in Discomfort 17:00 - End part 2 | Constant Conversations on Calling in vs Calling out This is Part 2 of a 2 Part Series with Katherine, I would love to know more about your favorite takeaway pieces from these episodes. Thank you so much Katherine for your time and heart on these leadership topics.

Just before the holiday season took over, I sat down with Katherine Grainger, a partner at Civitas Public Affairs Group, and what a deeply moving conversation we had. This is for all leaders, but specifically for our women and our mothers who have been personally affected by the pandemic, job change, and work from home orders. Katherine begins the conversation with describing the value of empathy. "One thing Covid (the pandemic) has done, is fast tracking the importance of empathy in the workplace." This organic episode lead from empathy, to appreciation to a very special mentor in her life, and closes with vulnerability. Show Times: 0:00 - 3:00 | Introduction 3:00 - 6:00 | What Covid has given leaders6:00 - 8:00 | How we keep our lessons + Women specific issues 8:00 - 15:00 | Katherine's Story of Inspiration 15:00 - 18:00 | Leadership awareness 18:00 - End | Vulnerability, end of part 1 This is just part 1 of a 2 part series. I would love to hear your episode takeaways. Katherine, thank you so much for being here today.

"A leader really needs to be able to hold the anxiety that people have for uncertainty and discomfort. Some staff want to know details right away, and as a leader, I have to 'protect them' and tell them, 'Things are okay.' Even if that rocks my comfort level, it helps them and holds their anxieties."This week is part two with Anne Lynam Goddard, the President and CEO of ChildFund International. We dive right into it discussing topics leaders often stray away from: Fears, Anxieties, Mistakes, Strategies, and Struggles. I am grateful for her openness and bringing you detailed lessons. Our conversation is honest in talking about what kinds of things keep leaders up at night, how do you navigate through those feelings, when do you communicate stress with teams, all of these hardships are brought to light. I love one thing Anne says to her team, "Together we will figure out the next steps and learn as we go."Thank you to Anne for her time and her candor! Part 1 is available on our YouTube channel and where podcasts are hosted. Enjoy Part 2!Show Points: 0:00 - 0:50 | Introduction0:50 - 3:30 | ChildFund Strategy and Scaling3:30 - 5:00 | Leadership Fears 5:00 - 9:10 | Leading Uncomfortably 9:10 - 11:10 | Leading with Courage 11:10 - 15:00 | Staying out of the operations 15:00 - 18:00 | Leadership is a practice 18:00 - End | Perfectionism versus Progression

This week I sit down with the poised Anne Lynam Goddard, the President and CEO of ChildFund International. Anne’s passion for her position is palpable. I love Anne’s spirit, grace, and deep investment into her support of children and their families. While many, during the pandemic, took the route to sit back and allow business, and life to happen to them the ChildFund International team dove straight into crisis by launching their own diversity initiative. “The staff and team have spent time to come up with ways we can improve as an organization. Within ourselves and in what we do for those around us.” One thing I appreciate about Anne’s leadership is her intention with bringing her staff/team along side her, particularly now. From making decisions and initiatives, to identifying needs to alleviate stressors, she is focused on the well being of those in her organization. There is much to learn from Anne in this episode and I can’t wait for you to listen in. “I think we need to communicate more than ever. I have been adding in more staff meetings, written communication, phone calls, I want to share with them what I know, when I know it, because there is much uncertainty.”Thank you Anne for your time and your lessons! Part 2 is next week! Show Points: 0:00 - 3:12 | Introductions and history 3:12 - 4:10 | Leading in times of crisis, election, covid, turmoil 4:10 - 5:30 | How to lead now 5:30 - 7:10 | Attributes leaders need7:10 - 8:10 | Learnings to take through the crisis 8:10 - 10:00 | Communication, communication, communication 10:00 - 14:00 | What is coming up next End of Part 1

This week I sat down with Christina Buggappa with International Youth Foundation. Navigating home life and work life, diversity in the 21st century workforce, and how to serve your community during a pandemic are just a few of the topics we dove into. "In the middle of all of this [Covid-19] we were so busy and work was becoming more in demand. Our organization has needs to fill for the communities we serve. It was moving very very fast. During all of that my team members and I also had to navigate how to become stay at home workers, online learning for children and protect our households."During the holiday season where many of us are making hard decisions, and cancelling plans, it is important to think greater than ourselves; about our communities, about those we serve, and about those around us. Christina, thank you for reigniting my perspective, and preparing us all for the new year.

Welcome back to so many of you who are sitting in your office chair for the few time in weeks. We made it through the cloud that was 2020. While at the strike of midnight things did not snap back to "normal" I have to say I am experiencing a feeling of hope for what this year may bring. Innovation? Change? Equality? The first step, for me, is to give gratitude to the lessons of 2020, and bring those lessons with me into 2021. Today, I am sharing a lesson on what it means to be essential, and what are the essential skills of leadership with Steven Schall. Prior to his executive search work, Steve worked as a social worker, program planner and nonprofit executive for 30-plus years in community-based HIV/AIDS, health care, child care, housing and family services. His list of experience goes on and because of that his stories of triumph, and knowledge of leadership is extensive. I can't wait for you to listen in."Being clear. Being intentional with your words, I consider that to be essential."

Can you imagine having grown 30% during this pandemic? What would that mean for your team's career security? What would that mean for your energy and overall outlook? How would that have affected you over the past 11 months? This week I sat down with the incredible leader, Karen Pearl of For God's Love We Deliver who has done just that. In the early days of 2020, Karen worked hard and intentionally on her team culture. She shares the lessons, the trials, the journey she has been on to become the guided leader she is now."The hardest thing for us was, the night everything, everywhere, everyone shut down, we had nearly 3,000 phone calls asking for help through our services. That is a lot of need. We have to identify who was looking for what assistance and help, make sure we had the right resources, finding the referrals, having enough food, because if we weren't moving quickly, people don't stick around for a long time."In a time of so much need and demand, relying on your team can be difficult, particularly when there is a national pandemic, racial injustice, economic struggles, and so much more. Karen has developed a team that could withstand the pressure. "I'm so fortunate that over the years, our staff has just gotten stronger and stronger and they're able to take care of what needs to get taken care of, even now."This episode is timely, deep, and empowering. I want to thank Karen for her time, I left feeling ready to serve because of her inspiration. Special thank you to our sponsor, Humentum, who during such a difficult time have dedicated themselves to inclusivity, strength, and supporting those on their team and their members. Connect with Humentum:https://www.humentum.org/https://www.instagram.com/humentum_org/https://twitter.com/humentum_orgWatch here: https://youtu.be/GeMrGg0Gp8I

“Politics are fierce. They are big. When you are trying to move an issue forward, it can be hard. Part of being a good leader, I have learned, is finding allies, how to bring others along to your goal and vision.”This week I sit down with Nancy Wackstein, with Fordham University, to hear about her work history, her lessons learned, and what she is encouraging upcoming leaders to dive into. I would venture to say 2020 has been an unmatched year for leaders everywhere. Politics, racial issues, health problems, topics that may typically be “taboo” have all become frequent topics during Zoom meetings. Nancy shares how she navigated and continues to work through the line of politics and the office place. This episode is timely, concrete and helpful in its guidance around such a touchy subject. I can’t wait for you to check it out. --Humentum sponsors the Lessons from Leaders Podcast. We are filled with gratitude for their partnership. Each person at Humentum has a spirit of learning, generosity, and care. If you are not family with the Humentum Organization, I encourage you to get to know them. Connect with Humentum:https://www.humentum.org/https://www.instagram.com/humentum_org/https://twitter.com/humentum_orghttps://youtu.be/sgioiFDMfhs

“It is a season not a situation…”Over the weekend I spent an extended period of time with other incredible leaders across the country connecting through a Harvard Course on leading during the pandemic. One of the professors shared those words with us: “This is a season not a situation.” I have to admit I have looked at this crisis as something to conquer and move on from but as it continues to be here, I have shifted that perspective to something with more residence. It is a season. It is here. It is not moving away and our efforts must continue on.I had these thoughts as I re-watched my episode with this week's guest, Michael Zisser. “We have all had an organization goal added to our plates: Survival.” For a pandemic that has now lasted over 9 months globally, the Lessons from Leaders team is feeling a sense of urgency to help, support, and educate.My episode with Michael walks through the critical steps that leaders have had to take for survival during this time. He lays out the action plan that most non-profits have faced between setting new goals, lay offs, and downsizing. I find this series of action steps particularly helpful for anyone experiencing a second wave at this time.Michael, thank you for your time during this episode!

This week I sit down with Kathy Spahn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helen Keller International who shows us all that in the face of crisis and pandemic, you can find your passion and path. Kathy has an incredible story leading her from the world of dance, facing a previous crisis in that industry, how it pivoted her into her position at Helen Keller International. "I followed my heart. It was not a normal path.." In the face of intense crisis, it can be nearly impossible to see the silver lining, innovation and change that can come from times this difficult. Kathy, thank you for the reminder that in the pain, we can find passion. This episode is a glimmer of hope in a hard time, I am thrilled for you to hear it. https://youtu.be/JDGIHtcNwxY