Rethinking leadership for global advocacy and cultural integrity

In these two episodes of Lessons From Leaders, host Lynne Gilliland chats with Robert Bank, CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), and Judith Le Blanc, Executive Director of the Native Organizers Alliance – two leaders driving change in global advocacy and cultural integrity. They discuss practical leadership strategies to drive positive change in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the crucial role of grassroots initiatives for advocacy, engaging diverse stakeholders, and strategic planning for organizational success. They also highlight the significance of relational leadership, which recognizes both sovereignty and self-reflection.

Listen, Learn, and Land: Next-Level Leadership

Passionate about driving global change in the nonprofit sector?

Learn about Robert Bank’s inspiring journey from being born and growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to becoming the CEO of AJWS. This nonprofit supports community-based organizations that end poverty and promote human rights in 19 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Robert also shares his three L’s—Listen, Learn, and Land leadership framework, which provides actionable guidance for future-ready leaders committed to making a difference.

He shared with me:

Robert added that leaders often struggle to maintain clarity while adapting to new insights and changes and shared personal examples from his work in international development and human rights, highlighting how strategic planning can align an organization to achieve better results.

“Strategic planning ensures organizational alignment and clarity. Involving diverse stakeholders and converging perspectives into a unified strategy is key. Adapting to generational differences within the workforce is essential for effective leadership.”

This podcast has the potential to inspire hope and optimism, showing you that change is possible and within your reach.

Embracing the Leadership Power of Relationality, Sovereignty & Reflection

Leadership is an interaction among people. In this episode, Judith Le Blanc, Executive Director of the Native Organizers Alliance, introduces relational leadership, which respects past, present, and future interconnectedness.

Rooted in her Indigenous culture and heritage, Judith shared with me a fresh perspective on leadership that I know will resonate with you. Her bold journey is a powerful testament to the impact of collective action and cultural continuity.

Starting in the 1970s, Judith’s leadership journey took a bold turn when she quit college to support the Wounded Knee Occupation in South Dakota. This experience underscored the importance of sovereignty and self-determination, shaping her understanding of leadership as a collective effort. Her path has since become a testament to the transformative power of united action and cultural perseverance.

She recalls:

Judith emphasizes addressing past issues to improve community lives, stresses how our actions now impact future generations and notes that sovereignty is a top concern across all demographics. She introduced relational leadership, which respects past, present, and future interconnectedness.

“Understanding the time continuum from the beginning of time until the end of time is crucial. We have ancestral responsibilities, and what we do in the present carries a lot of weight for our descendants and ancestors.”

Judith shares profound leadership insights rooted in Indigenous values emphasizing relationality, sovereignty, and reflection. She offers a holistic approach to driving change in the nonprofit sector.

Real talks. Timely topics. Transparent leaders. Available on all podcast platforms. Tune in for expert advice from leaders worldwide. Lynne and guests cover success, failure, fear, courage, and growth. Start listening today!