Take A Stand: Indigenous Leader On Action, Gratitude, Reciprocity in Times of Crisis

“I am not who you think I am. I am so much more,” said Robin Wall Kimmerer, Indigenous scientist, botanist and best-selling author of Braiding Sweetgrass and the more recent, The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance.

Speaking at the Chicago Humanities Fall Festival recently on National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Morton Arboretum in suburban Chicago, Kimmerer, a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, offered lessons of gratitude, reciprocity and community in leadership and life.

Michele WeldonOctober 17, 2025Comment

From Tunnel to Light: The Leadership We Need Now

Issue 2862— October 14, 2025

"Ultimately, I’m going to say I look forward to women taking a stronger place in life. Because I think that may be our hope for the future." 

—Actress Helen Mirren, who portrays Israel's first and only female Prime Minister, Golda Meir, in the movie “Golda,” on her vision for the future of peace in the Middle East

Meir and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat famously became friends after being bitter enemies and fighting a war in which after a surprise attack on Israel by the Egyptian army, Israel prevailed and later relinquished much of the land it had taken.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtOctober 14, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

Make The Firsts Last Longer: How To Sustain Breakthroughs By Women Leaders in Tough Times

It has been a week of global and national record-breaking milestones for female leadership across generations in business, politics, faith communities, music, media and more. At a time of intense cultural pushback, scrutiny and divisiveness toward leaders identifying as women, what lessons can we learn so these breakthroughs are not just one and done?

A look at the momentous achievements on the recent calendar represent different points of view and approaches. It is up to individuals to learn what each leader supports and why.

Michele WeldonOctober 10, 2025Comment

Uncover Me: The Secret Story I Finally Tell (Part 3 of 3)

Issue 2861— October 7, 2025

Note: I’m writing this post on October 7, the anniversary of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. I didn’t deliberately choose the date, but sometimes fate sends a message. Turns out, this is the exactly right time.

When I started what has become a trilogy (here are part 1 and part 2), I intended to write only one blog to explain my leadership intentioning tool “Uncover yourself,” by revealing a part of my story I’ve not shared. I had kept it inside for three reasons:

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtOctober 7, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

Have No Fear: Leader Builds Success on Empathy, Confidence, Tenacity and Authenticity

“Fear is my friend,” says Shirin Behzadi, author and C-suite entrepreneur who left her native Iran alone as a teenager and worked to become CEO of a billion-dollar home improvement franchise company. She also raised a family and survived a brain tumor.

In her new memoir, “The Unexpected CEO: My Journey from Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO,” Behzadi shares her inspiring story of how she refuses to be erased and uses her power for good.

Michele WeldonOctober 3, 2025Comment

Uncover Me: The Secret Story I Finally Tell (Part 2 of 3)

Issue 2860— September 30, 2025

Every kid fears they’re not normal. I had proof.

Last week I wrote about the power of telling the unvarnished truth of one’s story to enable leaders to build trust and credibility. I shared one layer of my story of growing up in small Texas towns and the chronology of my early formative years.

Yet life is a many layered thing. It tends to stack masks on us.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtSeptember 30, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

AI Impact: Secure Gender and Intergenerational Support for Leaders, Consumers

With YouTube’s recent announcement offering a banquet of creative tools for creators, it is impossible to deny the AI revolution is deepening influence for leaders, users, institutions and cultures around the world across generations, identities and genders.

Everyone needs to pay attention.

Michele WeldonSeptember 26, 2025Comment

Uncover Me: The Secret Story I Finally Tell (Part I)

Issue 2859— September 23, 2025

Life is layered. Some layers are easier to unearth than others.

Last week, I spoke at my friend Sharon Jackson’s “We Mean Business” conference. She scheduled 15 minutes in the packed agenda for me to talk about my 9 Leadership Power Tools.

So, not one to follow impossible rules, I used my 15 minutes on the stage to impart just one of the Leadership Power Tools. I chose #9, “Tell Your Story.”

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtSeptember 23, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

Journalism Leaders: Defending Truth, Correcting Myths, Creating New Ways To Succeed

It’s not easy being a woman leading at a high profile, legacy media outlet. But it never has been, even as the numbers of women journalists running top outlets globally is still recent and pretty rare.

Speaking at the 40th anniversary of the Journalism & Women Symposium annual CAMP in Washington, D.C., recently, JAWS President Angela Greiling Keane, Bloomberg Government News Director, said the theme of the conference, “Persevere and Persist,” is especially relevant today in a harrowing time for journalists covering politics.

Michele WeldonSeptember 19, 2025Comment

Powerful Tools Leaders Need: AI, Courage, Authentic Stories & Intergenerational Connection

The latest innovations, updates and insights from and for leaders in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, community building, early career efforts and organization founding shaped the recent close to the Take The Lead Power Up Conference 2025 in Washington, D.C. on Women’s Equality Day.

Developing a positive relationship with AI is on most every leader’s mind—and needs to be.

Michele WeldonSeptember 12, 2025Comment

11 Words: But Are Women’s Rights Human Rights Once And For All?

Issue 2858— September 8, 2025

Just when you think something is over, it starts again. Women’s quest for equality is no exception.

While I was busy with Take The Lead’s annual Power Up Concert and Conference in Washington D.C., I lost track that September 5, 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the United Nations’ 4th World Conference on Women. A few rather subdued social media posts reminded me.

So I updated the text of a podcast I recorded when I was reflecting on the 25th anniversary five years ago, to share with you today.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtSeptember 8, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

Good Guys And Pioneering Sports Journalist: Leading Award Winners Share Truths

The goal of gender parity needs the efforts and energy of everyone across gender identities. Equity is not just a women’s issue. Nor is it just an issue in one business arena.

“We’re here to talk about how men are an important part of this journey moving things along to gender parity,” said Vada Manager, founder and Ceo of Manager Global Holdings, as he introduced the winners of the Alex Barbanell Leading Man Award at Take The Lead’s recent Power Up Conference 2025 in Washington, D.C..

Michele WeldonSeptember 4, 2025Comment

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