What if the bravest thing you could do as a leader is to be even more of who you already are? Think about it—how often do you find yourself holding back, tucking away the parts of yourself that feel a little too vulnerable, different, or misunderstood?

In this episode of Being at Work, I sit down with Ellie Tomanguilla, an accomplished executive, advocate for LGBTQ and transgender leaders, and a walking testament to the truth that authenticity changes everything. She has chosen courage over conformity, visibility over silence, and in doing so, she has opened doors for so many others to lead with truth and purpose.

Ellie and I invite you to a conversation rooted in optimism, hope, and the simple yet radical act of being yourself. Because at the end of the day, everything shifts when you lead from that place. We dig deep into what it really means to step fully into your own story, how organizations can make space for true belonging, and why embracing all of who you are is the spark for empathy, resilient leadership, and meaningful connection at work. You’ll learn about the ripple effect that authenticity can have in leadership.

Time Stamped Takeaways

(00:00 ) How being more of who you are transforms your leadership
(03:47 ) How Ellie is remaining optimistic in turbulent times                                                    (06:30 ) Does identity shape leadership?
(09:00 ) The real impact of being out and visible as a transgender executive
(12:30 )The ripple effect of showing up authentically
(15:09 ) Accepting that not everyone is going to love you                                                          (20:15 ) Knowing when it’s best to keep the connection surface level                                    (26:04 ) Trusted resources for LGBTQ and Trans workplace inclusion                                    (29:44 ) Practical HR Advice: Representation, Policy, and Creating Real Change                  (31:20 ) How to find allies and create influence

Connect with Ellie Tomanguilla

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethtomanguilla/

About Andrea Butcher

Andrea Butcher is a visionary business leader, executive coach, and keynote speaker—she empowers leaders to gain clarity through the chaos by being MORE of who they already are. Her experiences—serving as CEO, leading at an executive level, and working in and leading global teams—make her uniquely qualified to support leadership and business success. She hosts the popular leadership podcast, Being [at Work] with a global audience of over 600,000 listeners and is the author of The Power in the Pivot (Red Thread Publishing 2022) and HR Kit for Dummies (Wiley 2023).

Connect with Andrea

https://www.abundantempowerment.com/

Connect with Andrea Butcher on LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaderdevelopmentcoach/