Lidia Soto-Harmon, the President and CEO of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), shares several key lessons around leadership, youth empowerment, and conservation. Lidia emphasizes the importance of providing paid, hands-on environmental conservation opportunities for young people across all 50 states, covering everything from trail building to historic preservation and fire prevention. A central idea is that this tangible work, often performed in teams and disconnected from technology, not only preserves natural spaces but also empowers youth, giving them a sense of agency and helping to combat climate anxiety. This approach fosters teamwork and provides young people with real-world skills and the satisfaction of seeing the direct impact of their efforts.

The conversation also delves into Lidia's personal leadership philosophy, which is rooted in being approachable and "real". She uses creative tools, such as her "selfie with my CEO" patch, now updated with a QR code linking to her LinkedIn profile, to forge genuine connections with both young people and adults. She advocates for a leadership style that is hands-on and curious about the experiences of those in the field, rejecting a top-down approach. Lidia emphasizes the crucial importance of leaders transitioning from mentorship to actively sponsoring diverse talent, thereby opening doors for others in tangible ways. Her identity as a Cuban American immigrant informs her commitment to inclusion and her responsibility to be a visible, approachable role model for the next generation.

Takeaways:

• Make opportunities accessible. Paying young people for their contributions opens doors that unpaid experiences often close.
• Connect by caring. Influence starts with genuine curiosity—ask questions, listen deeply, and show you care (even if it means carrying cupcakes up a mountain).
• Lead from the field. Authentic leadership means rolling up your sleeves and experiencing the work alongside your team.
• Bridge policy and practice. Real change happens when systemic solutions connect with on-the-ground realities.
• Be real on social media. Skip the polish—authentic, immediate, and heartfelt posts resonate most.
• Move from mentorship to sponsorship. It’s not enough to guide; leaders must actively open doors and advocate for emerging talent.
• Celebrate progress. Help teams look back at how far they’ve come—it fuels momentum for what’s ahead.

Quote of the Show:

• “Influence means tapping into previous chapters of your life to find helpful connections, information, or proven methods that you can implement in your current chapter. It's the ability to reflect on that path—that trail, if you will—and use it to propel yourself forward.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidia-soto-harmon-a921a213/ 
• Website: https://thesca.org/