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=en

Funding, 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 @Internews

Thank 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 DeAnna

02:30 - 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 Mottos

15:00 - 17:30 Delegation 

17:30 - 20:00 Self Care

20:00 - 25:00 Shifting into Overdrive 

25:00 - 27:00 Getting back up 

27:00 - 32:00 Rising Above

32:00 - 35:00 Stress x Fear vs. Jumping 

35:00 - 37:00 Closing with DeAnna