International Women’s Day has come and gone, but the call to advance gender equity worldwide continues. This includes taking the chance to hear and learn first-hand from powerful women about leading an organization; the unique skills, talents, growth, and triumphs that come with that.
Lessons from Leaders has had incredible women take the seat. Each with a unique story to tell, but all share in adversity, struggle, and ultimately success.
Indira Kaur Ahluwalia
Indira Kaur Ahluwalia, Founder/Chair of CREED and CEO of KAUR Strategies has been a trailblazer for racial and ethnic equity. She has built her career on enabling equality systemically on the strength of individual differences, establishing development and training services. Indira recently launched the Coalition for Racial & Ethnic Equity in Development (CREED); a collective of international development and humanitarian assistance organizations based in the United States committed to building racial and ethnic equity (REE).
How do you make an impact and difference in racial inequity globally? “We get out own houses in order.” I love that statement. Indira shares with us evidence and statistics of who the leaders are and who they are not—meaning where diversity lives and where it’s lacking.
Fiona Macaulay
Fiona Macaulay is the CEO of WILD Network. She has such a gift of seeing where things can grow and be made stronger sharing, “When I have conviction about something that needs to be done, I believe I can be a catalyst for that change. I believe other people will care too.” The WILD Network is the Women Innovators and Leaders Network.
“Right now, there is focus on women’s leadership. Supporting great leaders at all stages of their career to be even greater and supporting strong organizations to be even stronger,” Fiona said. This couldn’t be more fitting for the month.
Vivian Anderson
And Vivian Anderson, who truly is the wings to lift all girls of color. CEO and Founder of EveryBlackGirl, Vivian is passionate, dedicated, and authentic in her leadership.
“How do we start healing so we can see each other?”
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. This 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.