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 jus...
Dec 20, 2021•27 min
"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 rac...
Dec 13, 2021•23 min
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...
Dec 06, 2021•24 min
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 countri...
Nov 15, 2021•31 min
“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...
Nov 08, 2021•22 min
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-s...
Nov 01, 2021•30 min
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 gratefu...
Oct 25, 2021•30 min
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 openi...
Oct 18, 2021•27 min
“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 ...
Sep 27, 2021•29 min
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...
Aug 23, 2021•37 min
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...
Jul 26, 2021•32 min
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 Coaliti...
Jun 14, 2021•30 min
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 practic...
May 24, 2021•23 min
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...
May 17, 2021•21 min
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 yo...
May 10, 2021•35 min
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 serv...
May 03, 2021•21 min
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 lik...
Apr 26, 2021•42 min
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 a...
Apr 19, 2021•33 min
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 bu...
Mar 22, 2021•28 min
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...
Mar 15, 2021•27 min
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...
Mar 01, 2021•28 min
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...
Feb 22, 2021•28 min
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...
Feb 15, 2021•20 min
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 workpla...
Feb 08, 2021•20 min
"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, St...
Feb 01, 2021•20 min
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 ...
Jan 25, 2021•15 min
I am thrilled to be joined by Stephan Russo who recently stepped down from a position with the Goddard Riverside Community after a history of leadership and social work. From youth prevention, street engagement, international support, to work in the center of New York City with homelessness, Stephan has had an incredible professional journey. Stephan's experience, and variety in experience, has led to his success in leading during the pandemic, crisis, and racial injustice. “The way we approach ...
Jan 18, 2021•37 min
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 navig...
Jan 11, 2021•30 min
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 wha...
Jan 04, 2021•29 min
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...
Dec 04, 2020•29 min
