Women RISE

Marie Anne Amadieu is a leader in a major humanitarian organization and holds a mandate in response to the Syrian Crisis.  In this podcast, she shares her initial struggles to fit into her organization, how that didn’t work for her, how she eventually learned to lean into her gentle and sensitive nature instead, and how that makes her a better leader and a happier human being.  She shares the limits of a leadership culture that only focuses on exterior delivery at the expense of human relations and well-being.  As a leader straddling both worlds, she speaks to the emergence of a new paradigm of feminine leadership that acts as a bridge between generations. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Margot Andressen is a Senior Speech Writer for the Canadian Minister of International Development.  In this episode, Margot speaks of a spontaneous experience of connecting to Source as a young reporter,  and how that experience was pivotal in pursuing her career in journalism and then as a Speech Writer.  We explore how writing speeches is, for her, a way to touch people's hearts and infuse light and magic into the world.  Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Becca is an environmental social justice advocate who works on the state and national level. She describes herself as « deeply honoring all beings of the natural world, including the winged swimmers, creepy crawlies, standing people, and furries ». She was raised by women who conveyed to her a deep resonance with animals and  plants. In this episode, she shares how, as an elementary school teacher she cared to awaken a connection to nature with her students, and how her love of nature has evolved into her practices of organic gardening and “walking the land” which she now shares with her community. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Melissa L. Stone, Ph.D., is a human development advocate with more than 20 years of experience managing international programs at the intersection where social and behavioral determinants of health, peace, and security meet the public policy agenda promoting human rights, rule of law, and democratic process. She specializes in the wide-angle definition of health, particularly for vulnerable populations, including women; racial, ethnic, national, linguistic, and sexual minorities; children; persons with mental and/or physical disabilities; migrants and displaced people as well as persons deprived of their liberty and those at risk of being trafficked. In this episode, she shares a personal inquiry that has guided and informed her work. We explore how she uses humor and human connection in her leadership and the importance of setting healthy boundaries and self-care. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Gloria Cooper is a veteran public school teacher who has dedicated her life to empowering youth. She and her husband started New Age Academy, a private school in Berkeley in 1981, to help at-risk middle school children by providing emotional and physical nourishment. After running the school for 25 years, Gloria designed the Sophia project in 2007 to provide education and support to children who have experienced trauma, neglect, and abuse. The project aims to create a safe and nurturing environment for these children to help them heal and develop skills to thrive in their lives. Additionally, the project advocates for a society that values and supports all children, irrespective of their background or circumstances, to create a world that is emotionally and spiritually balanced.Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Sam was a practising specialist litigation lawyer who started on the spiritual path about 10 years ago after having a breakdown ( or a breakthrough) and turned to spiritual practices rather than conventional therapies or prescription medication.  She has since moved to being a judge working mostly in criminal courts, but occasionally family courts, and is now also training as a  rebirthing breathwork practitioner, and planning long term to open a retreat.   She considers her work as a judge to be as spiritual as any role in the matrix, and always tries to approach her role without judgement and with compassion for everyone in court, defendants and victims alike, as well as trying to gently show colleagues, court staff  and peers a new heart centred way of approaching criminal trials  and sentencing.In this episode, Sam and I discuss , who sees her leadership as a way of holding space. We explore what leading from within feels like and how it works, from the perspective of a woman judge in court. We highlight what becomes possible when one is drawing from multiple centres of intelligence - mind, heart and body, and how the capacity to hold space from these multidimensional perspectives as a leader, allows for emergence and transformation. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

In this episode, Meis and I explore the importance of self-awareness, intuition, and emotional literacy in leadership and how personal crises can prompt us to question our leadership identity. We discuss the need to evolve the conversation on gender equality in leadership away from gender polarization and rather in terms of qualities and values. We also discuss how sustainability begins with personal energy management and the need for a shift in perspective from looking at differences to finding unity. Finally, we evoke ways to reclaim our personal power, how the world is a mirror for our inner consciousness, and what becomes available when we lead from our inner truth.  Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Does your organization struggle with team tension and feeling like you're not on the same page? Jenn has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, and experience as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. With this background, she teaches teams leadership and communication skills that are thoughtfully designed to support equity for and inclusion of neurodivergent and invisibly disabled employees. It might appear on the outside that this doesn't apply to you, but Jenn shares that 15-30% of the U.S. workforce is neurodivergent or invisibly disabled, so you're guaranteed to have employees on your team who are silently struggling. In this conversation, we explore what becomes possible as a team leader when we take the time to understand and celebrate each team member's background and experiences. We discuss how leading from this vantage point allows for a working environment where everyone feels safe and respected, valued, and supported and how that provides, in turn, opportunities for everyone to contribute and grow. Creating a more inclusive workplace helps those with hidden differences and everyone in the organization work more cohesively. Download a free inclusive communication checklist for listeners at www.theworkingwell.us/womenrise.Contact Jenn directly at: jenn@theworkingwell.us or find her on LinkedInThank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

In this conversation, Abbie and I cover several topics related to leadership and healthcare. Abbie talks about the importance of heart-centered leadership, which involves prioritizing the needs of the people you lead, listening to their experiences, and leading with empathy and compassion. Abbie shares her experience of burning out as a leader and realising that heart-centered connection was missing. She shares about her spiritual awakening in Scotland, and how it inspired her PhD research, which focused on the effect of mistakes in healthcare and the need for self-compassion. This conversation highlights the importance of balancing heart-centered thinking with scientific rigor, being authentic, and being courageous in showing oneself completely. It also emphasizes the need for psychological safety in healthcare and being self-compassionate in caring for oneself and one's team. The leadership lessons include the importance of embracing one's natural leadership style and being connected to the sacred. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

 Dr. Tess Goodliffe has worked in many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, including the Gulf, where she was particularly interested in empowering young women in the workplace and understanding multicultural working contexts. In this conversation, we discuss how leadership isn't simply about being in charge but about finding a purpose and supporting others to achieve that purpose while also building trust, respect, and creating a safe space for everyone to contribute. Tess stressed the significance of seeing people as individuals in multicultural contexts rather than as labels or stereotypes. She emphasised the importance of connecting with others through one-on-one conversations, being reliable, consistent, and fair, and using humor to create a positive working environment while being mindful of cultural differences  and valuing everyone's contributions. We discussed the importance of cultural sensitivity, intuition, and emotional intelligence in leadership, as well as the significance of owning one's sensitivity and trusting one's instincts, staying true to oneself, and not struggle so hard to please others.Overall, our conversation highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive, multi-cultural environment where all team members feel valued and respected for their unique contribution. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

What is Presence in leadership?  Is it innate?  How do we cultivate it, and for what? These are some of the questions that I explore in this episode with my friend and colleague Paola Della Casa. Paola has a wide professional background, from doing international development work in Iraq to working as a manager and consultant for private organizations. Today, she is the local president of the NGO Emergenza Sorrisi in Switzerland, supporting third-world country children with severe face malformations.  3 years ago, she co-founded Feel Free with her business partner, Tyler Micocci. Fee Free is a Holistic and Trauma Release coaching company that delivers coaching training for individuals and groups. To learn more about Paola and Tyler’s work, visit their website at www.feelfree.training.  Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Asia Ghemri is a senior strategic consultant at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) who is doing incredible work in promoting women's leadership in the green and blue economy in Southeast Asia. In this conversation, we dive into Asia's holistic approach to sustainable development, considering the long-term impact on the environment and local economies. What really resonated with me was Asia's passionate explanation of how empowering women's leadership in these sectors is key to creating local resilience.  She highlighted women's natural propensity to care and their unique creativity, which stems from their specific needs and experiences and emphasized the importance of giving women more opportunities to lead projects that contribute to communities development and social progress.  Asia herself is a testament of the incredible potential of women's leadership in creating a world that works for everyone! Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

What if you had the power to transform your community, one girl at a time? Prepare to be inspired as we delve into the inspiring journey of Lillian Enyang-Akpet, founder and executive director of the Rubies Development Foundation (RDF). In a world where gender equality and adolescent sexual reproductive health remain pressing issues, Lillian has emerged as a beacon of hope for young girls in Nigeria. Her mission? To create a profound impact on the lives of these girls, empowering them to break free from the chains of societal limitations. Join us as Lillian paints a vivid picture of her transformative efforts to provide sexual education and foster gender equality values in remote provinces of Nigeria. As she shares her experience growing up in a patriarchal society, her unwavering dedication to social justice becomes abundantly clear. Her true calling is service, and she's leaving no stone unturned to make a difference. Lillian is not just a gender and development specialist, a women's and child's rights advocate, or a community mobilizer. She is a catalyst for change. Her leadership is rooted in compassion, empathy, and an unyielding belief in the power of every individual to contribute uniquely to their community. Tune in to this powerful episode and witness the magical impact of heart-centered leadership. Lillian's story reminds us that one determined leader can inspire genuine change, and together, we have the power to transform our communities. #RubiesDevelopmentFoundation #LilianEnyangAkpet #WomenChangeMakers #GenderEquality #SocialJustice #EmpoweringGirls #AdolescentHealth #HeartCenteredLeadership #TransformingCommunities #Inspiration #Nigeria 🇳🇬Website: https://www.rubiesdf.orgEmail:info@rubiesdf.orgInstagram: @rubiesdfTwitter: @rubiesdfFacebook: Rubies Development Foundation Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

 I had the great delight to sit with Katie Ferman, a passionate leader and change maker, for this new episode on Women Rise. In this dialog, Katie  shares how she is  challenging conventional leadership and redefining what being an authentic leader means to her. Rooting out imposter syndrome and harnessing the power of empathy in leadership are just some of the topics we explore in this conversation. Katie shares how she doesn't hesitate to share  personal challenges and experiences with her team. In fact, her ability to be vulnerable as a leader is one of her great strengths. It allows her to  build trust and authenticity among her team, paving the way for more collaborative and transparent relationships. We also discuss how, she creates an inclusive environment, thus fostering a workplace where everyone's voices are heard and respected.It is fascinating to me to witness how younger women leaders today are beginning to own their "soft" qualities and how, as a result, the world of leadership is beginning to shape shift! Katie Ferman's  short bio:  "Katie Ferman is a mission-driven project management professional with ten years of experience in international relations, including international development, public diplomacy, cultural exchange, and counterproliferation. She has experience working with nonprofit implementers to carry out strategic objectives of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the United Nations. Outside of work, she enjoys getting out in nature and saying hello to every dog she crosses paths with. She is also a proud Corgi aunt and podcast enthusiast."LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-ferman-20292828/Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

What if being hypersensitive was a superpower, especially in the high-pressure world of national security? In this episode of Women Rise, Leela McClintock, a national security strategist shares how fostering a healthy relationship with her emotions has helped her remain authentic in her professional field's demanding setting.Further in the conversation, we discuss how  acknowledging the emotional impact of tragic events can break the cycle of violence and we explore the importance of diversity  in our collective journey towards a safer future. Leela's courage to be show up fully as a sensitive woman navigating her career in security, offers other young women in this field a wonderful role model, promotion diversity and emotional well-being in the field. Short Bio: Leela McClintock is an early career professional with project development, research, and field implementation experience in international security, combatting misinformation/disinformation campaigns and WSE, intelligence brief writing, OSINT, and CBRN nonproliferation. She is committed to enhancing diversity and gender equity within the national security field.LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leela-m-872924139/Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

 In this week's episode, I'm delighted to introduce you to Tiffany Lo – a powerhouse of adaptability and resilience who is all about creating real change driven by the people who truly need it! Tiffany wears multiple hats as a gender rights activist, a dedicated toddler mother, and the product manager at Ever Driven, a private company that supports School Districts to build safe trips for special needs and the homeless. One of the fantastic initiatives she's been involved in is the Soul Medicine platform and YANA, a global collaborative resource for survivors of sexual assault. Being part of a cross-functional team at Chayn, she was crucial in building this fantastic project from the ground up. She's also had the honor of presenting at GitHub Universe and represented the youth at the United Nations Conference on Addressing Inequalities through Youth Entrepreneurship. In our conversation, we delve into the quiet power of patience and resilience in leadership and activism. Tiffany shares some lessons she learned on the frontlines of activism, the trials of motherhood, her own healing journey from abuse, and how that has shaped the unique medicine she now brings to the world. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Becoming a mother can present a unique challenge for women in international development. You have the drive to impact positive change, but at what cost to your family, yourself, and everything else that is already on your plate? Join me as I discuss balancing motherhood with career goals in my latest podcast episode featuring Nicoleta Ursescu, a determined mother and advocate for the economic inclusion of refugees and migrants in Senegal, West Africa. Through her inspiring story, Nicoleta shares how she leverages her unique feminine qualities, such as empathy and community building, to make a meaningful impact on the populations she serves. She speaks of her challenges balancing her aspirations as a young mother  with her career ambitions, highlighting the lack of mentorship and support between themselves women often face when searching for career advancement opportunities. Finally, we shine a light on the need for more sisterhood and  supportive networks for women working in her field. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Join me and my guest, Reverend Kathleen McShane, as we explore one of my all-time favorite questions: "What occurs when spirituality serves as the driving force for social change?" Kathi introduces us to the Changemaker Initiative, a potent program designed for laypeople that harnesses the power of compassion and the example of Jesus as a changemaker to inspire social entrepreneurs in their quest for change. She also delves into her upcoming book, "Picking Up the Pieces: Leadership After Empire," which takes a critical look at traditional, masculine, pyramid-style leadership models and paves the way for innovative leadership approaches.Kathi imparts profound insights about the two indispensable qualities a leader must possess, especially in the wake of a global crisis: humility and curiosity. Finally, we discuss the importance of self-compassion and self-care for leaders, recognizing them as inherent and unavoidable steps in all impactful and influential change-making efforts.For Kathi's full bio, read here.The Changemaker Initiative: https://thechangemakerinitiative.org/Kathi's upcoming book (co-written with Elan Babchuck):  https://www.pickingupthepiecesbook.org/Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

Imagine a world where feminine principles guide our leadership, infusing qualities such as intuition, empathy, and deep listening into its core. This has been Karen Downes' singular focus throughout her extensive 30+ year career. Her journey began in the realm of health and wellness, gradually evolving into her passionate commitment to founding FemmeQ, an organization dedicated to exploring how we might create transformational and systemic change to address today’s multiple crisis, through the application of feminine intelligence.In our discussion, we stress the importance of liberating the notion of feminine principles from the confines of gender, asserting that men too, play a pivotal role in shaping a world that embraces these fundamental values. We highlight the necessity for intergenerational and cross-disciplinary collaborations to catalyze systemic change, paving the way for "the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible."As we conclude our conversation, Karen provides a sneak peek into the amazing program she has curated for the upcoming FemmeQ International Summit in Strasbourg. Attention: This is NOT an event  just for women.  It is  for All genders and Early Bird pricing is still available on the website. About Karen Downes: Social entrepreneur, Transformation SME, AuthorCo-Founder and Director FemmeQ,Founder The Flourish Initiative, Member of Catalyst 2030,Co-Chair Bounce Beyond. Over the span of her 35-year career, Karen has founded and launched successful start-ups, supported social change initiatives to transform entrenched cultural norms, developed and led transformational leadership programmes around the world.   She is a healer above all else.  At the beginning of her career, she trained in five alternative healthcare disciplines, building a multi-million-dollar Aromatherapy company from kitchen tabletop to global business success story, her mission was to ‘return natural healing modalities to the healers; women’.  Whilst building her business and empowering women across Australasia,  she committed to eradicating inequalities at a global scale, joining the Hunger Project, as an investor and activist.  For years she travelled to India and Bangladesh to end the subjugation and marginalization of women which had been identified as fundamental to ending the chronic persistence of hunger.  It was here she learned that without the inclusion of women as equal partners, a village will remain impoverished, that the feminine is critical to building a flourishing community.  She is a trained facilitator of Joanna Macy’s work -  ‘The Work that Reconnects’ – how to move from the Industrial Growth Society to a Life Sustaining future.   Upon moving to London in 2003, she began to advise business leaders, designed and led transformational leadership programmes around the world.  In 2015 in response to the overwhelming statistics on the progress of women and gender justice, Karen co-founded the global movement, FemmeQ: Feminine Intelligence.  The first of 5 subsequent International Summits was launched in Berlin iThank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.

I'm thrilled to share this recent conversation with Holly Woods, a colleague and kindred spirit, author of the best-selling book "The Golden Thread: When to Find Purpose in the Stages of Your Life." I recently read her book, and I was deeply inspired by her insights on how our soul purpose evolves as we develop into higher stages of consciousness. Throughout our conversation, we discuss one of my favourite subject of all times: How our soul incarnates uniquely to fulfil its unique purpose.  Holly candidly shares about her own challenging journey and how she learned to attune to her soul's guidance. Drawing insights from quantum physics, we delve into topics such as healing from trauma and reshaping our beliefs to create a different reality. Finally, and beyond the idea of individual purpose, we touch on the idea of humanity sharing a collective purpose, and how, in a world facing multiple existential risks, some of us are being called to evolve towards a new way of being human. Holly Woods Ph.D is an Integral Coach, an  entrepreneur., a scientist, a bestselling author and a speaker. Visit her website to learn more about her programs and to be informed of her upcoming new course. Thank you for listening to Women Rise. Sign up for my distribution list so you never miss an episode. Learn more about the Women Rise leadership program for women change-makers on my website. If you'd like to be considered to be interviewed on this podcast, please write me directly or take this survey to find out if you're a good fit.