“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, he...
Nov 16, 2020•25 min
“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....
Oct 19, 2020•35 min
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 s...
Sep 14, 2020•25 min
This week I had the chance to sit down with Danny Ceballos an executive coach, and Dr. Lisa Walker, who is an executive coach for global firms. We have heard from you, our listeners, on what would be most helpful to hear and the responses were overwhelming: Techniques and Skills to Lead. This episode is deeply filled with tools and techniques on just that: Leading in Crisis. Leaders, you did not create this scenario. This was not something preventable. However, you are expected to lead through i...
Aug 31, 2020•34 min
One of our most watched episodes to date has a part two and today, we are bringing you that. I recently sat down with Dr. Christine Sow of Humentum where we had an incredible conversation together surrounding leadership, particularly in this climate. In this portion of the episode we pick back up to discuss the innovation and changes that can come from a universal crisis. Are the people you have in place, in the right place? Have you as a leader adapted to the circumstances in your communication...
Aug 24, 2020•23 min
"I always knew the work I wanted to do. It was just the jobs that changed." I recently sat down with Joan Malin, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood, NYC. Just before our session, I was journaling and created a series of steps regarding habits: We start with an intention. That builds our behavior. The behavior becomes a habit. That habit is now our practice. It's now in our nature. It is our make up. It is who we are. As I was reading this statement, it came to life during my session with Joan...
Aug 17, 2020•21 min
"This is what it's like: We as leaders trained for a 5k, and now we are all running an ultra marathon but have no idea when the end is. So it's about finding spots that can be stops along the way to stop, take a moment, then pick up and keep going." This episode is a moment of joy in a strife filled time. This podcast has now been airing for just over a year and a half. I did not expect to find myself in a position with a podcast team, marketing support, and an incredible sponsor partnership. Th...
Aug 10, 2020•26 min
This week I sit down with the Mohini Malhotra, Development Economist, Georgetown Professor, and Social Entrepreneur. This guest is special to me and inspires me for the many hats she has put on. As a leadership professor I was excited to talk with her about those who have been impactful and particularly meaningful to her. Here’s what she shares: “This person is wise, she is humble, there is nothing about her persona that is inconsistent with her beliefs. How she dresses, to how she lives, to wha...
Jul 27, 2020•37 min
This is a special episode for us as we have 2 previous leaders visit the Lessons from Leaders studio again - virtually of course. In this episode we are discussing the ongoing crisis in the world between the racial injustice movement, covid, and the pandemic, as well as navigating through the emotional turmoil that these struggles can bring to a work setting. "I think that the pandemic created a setting that allowed the racial injustices and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so man...
Jul 13, 2020•35 min
Dr. Ver Beek is one of the bravest people I know. As the co-founder of a social justice organization based in Honduras (Asociación para una Sociedad Más Justa), Kurt shares with me how he came to realize that few organizations were working in Honduras for one of its most critical needs -- that of social justice -- and how he and a Honduran friend, Carlos Hernandez, decided to take a significant personal risk to achieve the purpose of making a positive impact on the lives of Hondurans. In this ep...
Jun 22, 2020•44 min
Welcome to another episode of Lessons from Leaders; this week is a special episode because I sit down with an author. As we enter each day, finding the best way to lead through the ongoing crises, it is vital to lead with vulnerability and with gratitude. This episode is a special reminder of that as I sit down with Chester Elton, Co-Author of 'Leading with Gratitude'. “Gratitude is a must-have, hard skill. Particularly in a crisis. When you wake up and think 'I won’t let my team down, my compan...
Jun 15, 2020•30 min
The question was: "What advice would you give to leaders handling this time, as their first major crisis.?" The answer was: "Take. A. Breath." "Then, when you can, find your space for emotions and stress. Feel it." This week I sit down with the incredibly talented Akila Radhakrishnan, President of Global Justice Center. While we sat on opposite sides of the computer, in our own offices, this conversation was so comfortable and insightful. Akila has advice she would love to share with leaders nav...
Jun 08, 2020•37 min
Maddy DeLone, former Executive Director of the Innocence Project, talks about advice she gives other leaders during the pandemic. Maddy notes that when it seems that everything about this pandemic is new we remember that we have seen all these problems before: financial issues, board challenges, staffing issues. During our conversation, Maddy brilliantly reminds leaders that they have lead through these types of challenges and that they can trust themselves to lead through this too. Maddy also r...
Jun 01, 2020•32 min
"There is no book to read, there is no guide on how to lead a pandemic in 2020. I can't pull a book off the shelves and find out exactly what my organization needs this month to make them thrive. What that means is we are experimenting. We are trying. We are testing. And I think the risk taking will be worth it." This week I sit down with the intelligent and inspiring Fatima Goss Graces of National Women's Law Center. I was excited to talk with Fatima because she has a work story that isn't the ...
May 25, 2020•32 min
It is easy to get stuck in your own view and opinion. I say, try to step out, put yourself in the other person's shoes. Ask yourself, "Why may they be behaving that way? Could I communicate with them differently?" I like to remind myself there may be something, a circumstance going on, that could also motivate them to act in that way. This week I sit down with Salma Mazrui-Watt the CEO of Kibeni LTD, and one of the topics we dive into is the potential hiccups that can arise when different work s...
May 18, 2020•39 min
Rob Radtke, CEO of Episcopal Relief and Development, talks about taking the challenge of COVID-19 as an opportunity to focus on the people, the staff, and getting to know them and their work on a more personal level as sharing more of himself with the organization. Rob also shares with us his insights into what advice would he give his younger self - and it is about believing in himself and not pushing so hard. This inspiring interview covers Rob's unusual story of coming to the global developme...
May 11, 2020•37 min
Friends, Some of us are seeing new developments, some of us remain in the transition. As things begin to open, I want to encourage you to make choices that are best for you and your team. Follow your comfort level and make decisions that feel right for your team moving forward. I released this episode just a few short weeks ago and the feedback was astounding. Did you know Covid-19 remains the "hottest" topic both being searched and being discussed? It has taken over our small talk, our business...
May 04, 2020•20 min
At the end of last week I shared a special episode to address today's current events. If you missed it check it out here!! https://youtu.be/b81dkwFGN6A It's a funny week here because we are celebrating one year in the Lesson's from Leader's podcast! If you would have asked me one year ago: What do you envision for this podcast, how do you want to feel after 365 days of this, where do you see the leadership world at that time? I can surely tell you I didn't expect this! I didn't expect leaders to...
Apr 20, 2020•18 min
Serra Sippel, who began her career on the border with Mexico, working with migrant families and others, is now the CEO of CHANGE (Center for Health and Gender Equity). Serra and my conversation was recorded while we were 10 days into "stay at home" guidelines due to the corona virus. Serra talks about being a leader during dark times. She talks about having the courage to have a vision and then leading others forward when things are as challenging and the future as uncertain as they are today. T...
Apr 06, 2020•44 min
"How do we get to sustainable development? How do we lead?" In this week's episode I sit down with the extraordinary, Pape Gaye, former CEO of Intrahealth, to talk about just that. His answer? Lead with excitement. One thing I deeply value about Pape, amongst many things, is his genuine joy of leading and his curiosity about leadership. He takes a true interest in bettering his leadership skills and continues to grow. Pape and I talked quite a bit about new ways of being a leader and what those ...
Mar 30, 2020•52 min
We have been exploring the theme of authenticity on several podcast episodes and we visit the them again on this one. Sam Worthington, the CEO of Interaction, was our guest today and we spoke a lot about values, authenticity, vulnerability and being a leader. Sam shared about leading from a place of values and how sometimes he has had to make tough decisions based on his values. Part of what was so intriguing to me was Sam's belief that his job as a leader is to open the space for others to lead...
Mar 23, 2020•42 min
On this episode, I have to take a moment to thank a previous guest, Shelley Goode who was kind enough to share this incredible leader with me, Jatrice Gaiter, EVP of Volunteers of America. "I am cognizant, aware, and intentional about making the people that work with me feel like they have a voice, they are appreciated, and that they are the best at what they do, and that is why they are there." Jatrice shared with me that she believes leading includes knowing, "It is not about you, it is about ...
Mar 02, 2020•43 min
I am SO excited to launch this weeks episode as it is our first international episode! Lessons From Leaders has had listeners across the world, however this is our first international guest, Dr. Rehana Ahmed. Dr. Rehana Ahmed joins us from Pakistan. She is a licensed, medical doctor, dedicated to providing help, experience and education to women around her. Her journey has been uncertain and uneasy but she carries on knowing courage will get her through. “Courage. Courage is required in every wa...
Feb 17, 2020•38 min
The first time I heard her story, I was moved to tears. Today I sit in honor to share her video with you. Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, Executive Director of 3D program for Girls and Women, is with me today sharing her riveting background and journey to her position today. “There are disadvantages, inequalities and injustices against women, particularly in India, I turned my focus to that.” Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta has been a trail blazer from the start. At a young age she was given the opportunity to create ...
Feb 10, 2020•37 min
I am thrilled to be back with Laurie this week on Lessons from Leaders for Part two of her video and we are joined by Tom Dente, CEO of Humentum. These leaders shared in-depth, honest avenues to conquer fear and lead it to a greater lesson. "This is not simple. It is not just embracing failure. There is an educational process that leaders have to do to de-stigmatize failure and make sure we have in place ways to learn. Nothing is REALLY a failure if we come away with a lesson and better path for...
Feb 05, 2020•46 min
This episode I sit down with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking. Want to hear about kicking down doors? Mary Ellen talks about how she learned to kick down doors and make her own way. I am inspired by her work. Her insights resonate for women leaders everywhere. "I think that gender lens - the ability to now see a situation and question it - how would this be different for women? How would this situation have changed, or this decision have varied if it were in the...
Jan 13, 2020•31 min
Imagine being president and CEO of a successful, scaling company and asking those who work for you for their feedback on how you lead, how you support and how you show up. What difference would that make in how you lead and your ability to scale your organization? Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground, does just that and shares with us what he's learned. "I think that people should feel as though they are accountable to one another. Specifically others living by their same values. This ...
Jan 06, 2020•52 min
As a leader, can you imagine making a mistake on a great scale then choosing to share it with your partners, your team and your sponsors with complete transparency? This week’s episode is with Bill Abrams, CEO of Trickle up, who shares the immense value of transparency specifically in the face of error. “I have evolved over time. I have learned controlling information can be worse for a situation. Be open. Be transparent. Don’t be scared of the information, share with your staff, your organizati...
Dec 02, 2019•46 min
“I found myself being collaborative… nice… without expressing my own drive for MY vision of things… I found myself realizing I needed to be respected to bring about change.” This week we have a brand new episode of Lessons from Leaders with our guest Laurie Adams, the CEO of Women for Women International (WfWI). Laurie gives incredibly deep insights into the balance of women in leadership roles. This episode is SO important in todays culture for both men and women to listen to. There is space fo...
Nov 18, 2019•32 min
This week on Lessons from Leaders, Lynne sits down with Karl Hoffman, CEO of PSI. Karl has been with PSI since 2007. With experience in foreign services, specifically with work in Africa, he now works with global health. He sits down to share his insights into combatting financially costly mistakes, utilizing your team strengths and how impactful fear is. "The more mistakes we encounter, on a program side or financial side, the better it is for us. I think the tendency when you make an error, it...
Oct 30, 2019•29 min
