Take The Lead is sharing your Power To Change Stories here, in our weekly newsletter, and in an upcoming ebook collection. Each week we highlight true, personal stories from around the world of how you are using your power to activate change. Together we can support each other in the mission to reach gender and racial parity in leadership across all sectors. Submit your stories here.
By Chritsen Jeschke
My 12-passenger van packed near to bursting, my four children and I set off across the country for a new beginning. I called it "an adventure," but in truth, it was an escape from an excruciatingly difficult chapter of our life defined by the struggle to survive the wreckage of a painfully destructive marital relationship.
Read MoreBy Burcin Advani
People who succeed in education are driven by a passion for unlocking opportunities. I learned this firsthand when I launched my first venture, an English-language tutoring service in Turkey. Despite the challenges, our commitment to student success kept us going.
Just as I started doubting, our first student enrolled. Six months later, they passed their English exam with flying colors, gaining a passport to a world of opportunities. This success led to referrals, eventually supporting hundreds of students in passing exams and accessing the world. The experience reaffirmed my belief that with perseverance and dedication, it's possible to build something transformative in education.
Read MoreBy Aaliyah Thompson
As a dynamic entrepreneur, I understand the power of resilience and determination in carving one's path to success. In the evolving landscape of the beauty industry, I stand as a beacon of empowerment, challenging norms and championing inclusivity.
At the tender age of five, I faced the diagnosis of autism, a label that many perceived as a barrier. Yet, with the unwavering support of my family, I transformed this challenge into a source of inspiration. Fueled by my passion for beauty, I fearlessly pursued my dreams, defying stereotypes along the way.
Read MoreBy Lena Jungst
In 2016, during my undergraduate studies at the University of Design in Schwäbisch Gmünd (Germany), the idea for what would later become known as air up® took root. Together with my co-founder Tim Jäger, I delved into the fascinating realm of retronasal olfaction—how scent influences taste. This exploration sparked a question: Could scent be the key to merging healthy choices with delightful experiences?
Read MoreBy Nadine Hack
Having been ‘advancing women’s rights’ since the 1960s as part of larger social justice movements, I would’ve liked for us to be further along than we are in 2024. You might imagine that I’m a bit fatigued, even
disheartened six decades later. To the contrary, I’m as fired up as ever. I’m especially inspired by young activists around the world who are tackling myriad interrelated issues in new, dynamic, exciting ways. It’s called “intersectional organizing.”
They integrate addressing gender inequality into calls for an end to violent conflicts; enlivening the climate change debate; demands for economic equity; actions for racial justice; demonstrations for LGBTQ rights; protests for gun control; all part of a fervent appeal for a more inclusive, sustainable world.
Read MoreBy Rosina Racioppi
Since I entered the workforce more than 30 years ago, I have seen the number of women in leadership roles increase tremendously, but it’s still not enough. As managers and mentors, what can we do to encourage our female employees to grow and step into more influential roles?
As managers, we play an important role in coaching female employees as they prepare to express concerns or ideas to foster success, helping them understand how to position ideas to be heard. We can support them by taking their ideas and putting them into action. This approach encourages women to contribute insights and enables them to see their company values them
Read MoreBy Marie Clark
I recently led a group of female skydivers to achieve a Women’s Wingsuit World Record. A wingsuit is a specialized suit that allows skydivers to fly through the air like a glider.
Our international squad from across the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Brazil aimed to create a pre-declared formation starting at 13,000 feet while flying at approximately 110 miles per hour.
Read MoreBy Bryetta Calloway
As a woman who has navigated the complexities of various industries, from entertainment to entrepreneurship, I've discovered profound truths that extend beyond my personal journey and resonate with the broader truth – your life is trying to teach you something.
Lesson #1: In a world that often demands conformity and homogony, I've learned that my power lies in being unapologetically myself. My refusal to be confined by societal expectations propelled my success, helped me develop hidden talents and abilities, and became a catalyst for change within the spaces I inhabited.
Read MoreBy Poonam Bouichar
What if I told you that I am grateful for all the mistakes that I have made in life because they have led me to discover who I am and to the true beauty of this life?
By profession I am an attorney. I am not a therapist, I am not a psychiatrist, I am not a healthcare professional. Yet, I have authored a top-selling book, SAFE From the Pain: How to Lead a Life Free, Happy and Good. I am an emotional wellness advocate, and have led many retreats that focus on well-being. I came to this path after experiencing decades of emotional trauma; realizing and recognizing my pain; and successfully addressing my issues to live my life in peace, filled with joy.
Read MoreBy Hyacinth Tucker
In my professional journey, a pivotal moment fueled my commitment to equity. In a diverse team, I witnessed a colleague unfairly overlooked for leadership. Addressing this inequity head-on, I spoke up, leading to reconsideration and their deserved role. This taught me the power of advocacy.
Read MoreBy Danna Okuyama
Before I hit 30, I already lived in four countries and come to appreciate the cultures and vibrancy of the world. Today, when travel isn’t an option, social media can be a powerful tool to connect with others around the globe.
I always wanted my son to become a global citizen, however, when he entered pre-school, he was excluded and faced unfair judgments simply because of his appearance. I learned that not everyone thinks the same and knew I had to make a change.
Read MoreBy Natalie Suppes
When I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2007, I wasn't sure how that would affect the plans I had for my life. I was about to start university and had big dreams for my career and personal life.
Little did I know, I wasn't alone. My dream of being a business woman who happens to have a chronic illness is not a singular story. There are many people out there with chronic diseases or disabilities who want to be their own boss, and my passion now lies in empowering them to achieve that.
Read MoreBy Noga Sapir
Anxiety has been my companion for as long as I can remember, lurking in the corners of my mind and making its presence felt in the very core of my being. I have always been aware of it, but it wasn't until it started to manifest physically through increased heart rate and panic attacks that I knew I had to find a way to confront and conquer it.
Read MoreBy Tania Luna
That first year of the pandemic was the worst and best experience for me as a leader.
At the time, I led a company with about 100 employees and 1,000 clients. The business was growing
every day. Then COVID hit, and our clients’ budgets dried up. We had no line of credit and our cash reserves were dwindling..
By Cindy Dunston Quirk
There are nearly 77 million dogs in the United States and I want them all to live their best lives.
It’s why I started my sustainable pet food and treat company, Scout and Zoe’s. It’s my answer to the big mega-corps who put profit before health, and money before sustainability. Did you know that the three biggest pet food companies routinely buy up smaller companies? This makes it harder to know where food is being made, who is making them, and what is in them.
Read MoreBy Kelly Fair
Black girls face threats of violence in all aspects of life — in their homes, communities, schools and beyond.
Domestic violence reached the forefront of the media with the story of Chris Brown and Rihanna’s violent 2008 relationship.
At the time, girls all over the country were sharing their thoughts about the situation. As I was conversing with middle school girls about this event, it was alarming that so many of them unanimously felt that the attack had to be Rhianna’s fault and she must have caused the conflict. The reaction became the driving force in starting the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program.
Read MoreBy Mackenzie Jorns
In a world where skincare often feels exclusive and one-size-fits-all, Protea is on a mission to empower individuals with #skinconfidence through holistic products and a revolutionary licensed skin care professional match service. Protea's mission goes beyond beauty; it aims to make skincare approachable and accessible for all, while making a positive impact on the lives of women in need.
Read MoreBy Veronica Maoli
I recently had the privilege of completing a landmark acquisition as part of the first woman-to-woman transaction of a Ford dealership.
When I joined my family business four years ago, Celebrity Motor Car Company, I couldn’t have imagined that I would be part of such a historic milestone as a co-owner just a few years later.
Read MoreBy Cheryl Dalton-Norman
In the early days of COVID-19, patients were dying because it took hours, days or even weeks to transfer them to a facility that could provide a higher level of care.
It was a problem that existed before the pandemic--and one I worked to solve for Mercy Health, now part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, when I co-founded Conduit Health Partners, a nurse-first triage and transfer service, in 2017.
By Angela D. Coleman
Back in the day, I was a classic Type-A personality. I was driven and organized and thought I was in full control of my life. However, this was an illusion.
It took a health scare to make me learn the importance of relaxation and letting go. Although I was the
picture of health, neurologists found a blood clot in my brain. I was in the hospital for two weeks and couldn’t move.
After I was released, I began experiencing chronic fatigue symptoms. Some days, I couldn’t get out of bed to exercise, work, or get my daughter to school.
Read More
