Issue 2857— September 2, 2025

For the last few days, I’ve been in enforced time off mode.

I returned from the Power Up Concert and Conference in Washington, D.C. exhilarated and exhausted. Read Michele Weldon’s rundown for highlights.

If you were there, please drop a comment to share the best moment for you. If you weren’t there. Put August 26, 2026 on your calendar now because you will definitely want to be in that room next year. It’s always on Women’s Equality Day because of the date’s alignment with Take The Lead’s mission of gender parity in leadership.

My daughter came back to New York with me for a few days of recuperation and together time. We’ve packed it with local family get togethers, nonstop eating, a Broadway show, Dierks Bentley concert at Madison Square Garden, and Zarna Garg’s inimitable brand of comedy at the West Side Comedy Club.

This is me telling Zarna Garg I’m #Intentioning her headlining the 2026 Power Up Conference.

Today I am moved to share a personal take on the event.

I was as deeply inspired as the rest of the participants with our accomplished honorees Marina Arsenijevic, Brad Johnson and Dave Smith, Christine Brennan, and Margery Kraus.

Much gratitude to them and so many more, including host Reena Ninan, Conference and Take The Lead Board Chair Dr. Lily McNair; expert facilitators Kelsey Nicole Nelson, Vada Manager and Haley Lickstein; Dr. Nancy O’Reilly who not only stepped up to be presenting sponsor but also stepped out to pass the baton (a Take The Lead red one, no less) to the next generation of young activists; Stacey Engle and my digital twin; and dinner sponsor and SHEposium creator, Heather Florio.

There are many others, including the amazing Take The Lead staff team, who deserve accolades. It takes more than a village to create an event of Power Up’s magnitude.

I saved for last recognizing Felicia Davis who made my why come to life in the Leadership Power Tool Champions.

It’s what keeps me going, keeps my commitment to the work of advancing women never feel like work, is right here in this photo. It’s the women we serve. They come from different areas, sectors, and disciplines. Some participated in a 50 Women Can Change the World cohort. Others in various other Take The Lead programs rooted in the 9 Leadership Power Tools curriculum. Dr. Winter Okoth, for example, took our very first online course in 2014!

L-R: Joy Donnell, Dr. Winter Okoth, Tammy Bosse, Kathy Jefferson, Tanushree Ghosh, Felicia Davis, Elisabeth Ness, Anise Fuller, Michelle Genece Patterson, Dr. Randee Sanders, Dr. Joel Martin.

Power Tool #1— Know Your History (The Visionary)

Dr. Randee Sanders

Brief Bio: Dr. Randee Sanders is "The Catalyst Architect" who doesn't follow leadership blueprints—she burns them. Through her DisruptHER → DesignHER → EmbodyHER framework, she empowers high-achieving women to shatter ceilings and lead with radical authenticity.

Why this alignment: Randee's work as "The Catalyst Architect" demonstrates deep understanding of leadership history and using that knowledge to forge new paths. She "doesn't follow leadership blueprints. She burns them" - which requires intimate knowledge of what came before. Her DisruptHER → DesignHER → EmbodyHER framework shows how she's learned from traditional leadership failures to create revolutionary approaches for women, helping them "challenge outdated systems" and "create a legacy on their own terms."

2. Power Tool #2 - Define Your Own Terms (The Trailblazer)

Dr. Winter Okoth

Brief Bio: From studying by moonlight in rural Kenya to becoming a globally recognized infectious disease scientist, Dr. Winter Okoth redefines what's possible. As the first girl to achieve top university scores from her school and firstgeneration PhD in her clan, she blazed trails in STEM while championing women's empowerment. Through her nonprofit PAKEMA and groundbreaking malaria research, she proves that breaking barriers isn't just personal—it's a catalyst for generational change across Africa and beyond.

Why this alignment: Winter is the ultimate Trailblazer who literally defined new terms for what's possible. As the first girl to achieve the highest university entry points from her school and first-generation PhD in her entire clan, she redefined expectations in her community. She transformed from a girl studying by moonlight to a globally recognized scientist, proving that "Girl-child's excellence in academics and leadership" was not only possible but powerful. Through her nonprofit PAKEMA, she continues defining new terms for mentorship and STEM empowerment across Kenya and beyond.

3. Power Tool #3 - Use What You've Got (The Maximizer)

Elisabeth Ness

Brief Bio:Award-winning filmmaker Elisabeth Ness maximizes resources to create meaningful change. When industry strikes left filmmakers unemployed, she leveraged her network to crowdfund "Lady Kings of Texas," inspiring countless others to pursue their own projects. Her 65+ productions through Good Porpoise Productions and viral series "Redheads Anonymous" prove that you don't need studio backing to make impact—just creativity, community, and the courage to use what you've got.

Why this alignment: Elisabeth explicitly demonstrates "using what I've got" throughout her submission. During the union strikes, she leveraged her network of "fellow badass actor/filmmaker women" and their collective storytelling skills to create "Lady Kings of Texas." She describes how her team "harnessed our networks and individual strengths" to make such an impact on crowdfunding that it inspired other filmmakers. Her approach exemplifies maximizing existing resources and relationships to create something bigger than the sum of its parts.

4. Power Tool #4 - Embrace Controversy (The Disruptor)

Joy Donnell

Brief Bio: Writer and cultural strategist Joy Donnell reclaims wholeness as the soil of liberation. As co-founder of CIME and author of "Beyond Brand" and "Show Us Your Fire," she challenges inherited scripts through psychospiritual storytelling. Her award-winning fiction and documentary work disrupts false binaries while creating space for Black aliveness and complexity. In a world of spectacle, she rewires what we think power, freedom, and futures can be—from the inside out.

Why this alignment: Joy's entire body of work focuses on "sacred disruption" and challenging inherited scripts. She explicitly states her work "reclaims wholeness as the soil of liberation" and uses storytelling to "challenge inherited scripts and awaken new futures." Through CIME, she examines how narratives shape beliefs, and her fiction "resists dystopia" while "disrupting the false binary between ecology and intimacy." Her work doesn't just embrace controversy - it transforms it into liberation

5. Power Tool #5 - Carpe the Chaos (The Change Catalyst)

Kathy Jefferson

Brief Bio: Artist and advocate Kathy Jefferson transforms life's challenges into systematic change. As Chair of Tempe Commission on Disability Concerns and founder of a nonprofit for mothers of special needs children, she turns personal adversity into community empowerment. Her advocacy for body acceptance in the art world and accessibility across generations proves that chaos isn't something to su

Why this alignment: Kathy has consistently turned chaotic, challenging situations into opportunities for systemic change. As a mother of a child with disabilities, she recognized the chaos of inadequate support systems and founded a nonprofit specifically for mothers in similar situations. She faced discrimination in the art world and used that chaotic situation to become a trailblazer for body acceptance. As Chair of Tempe Commission on Disability Concerns, she continues transforming system gaps into organized advocacy, perfectly embodying someone who carpes chaos to create lasting change.

6. Power Tool #6 - Wear the Shirt (The Truth Seeker)

Tanu Ghosh

Brief Bio: Intel Director and acclaimed author Dr. Tanu Ghosh has made gender and social justice the central pillar of her existence. From her viral Huffington Post writings to her award-winning books and Her Rights Inc. nonprofit, she fearlessly tackles inequality in both corporate and creative spaces. As Intel's Global Diversity and Inclusion Advocate winner and Laadli Media Award recipient, she doesn't just advocate for change—she embodies it, wearing her convictions as both strategy and birthright.

Why this alignment: Tanu has made gender and social justice "the central pillar of existence" in both personal and professional domains. Her submission explicitly states she has "authored multiple books and chartered projects to empower, elevate and protect women - wearing (and living) the shirt in personal and professional domains." As Intel's Global Diversity and Inclusion Advocate winner, she doesn't just advocate for truth - she embodies it across all aspects of her life, from corporate leadership to her nonprofit Her Rights Inc.

7. Power Tool #7 - Create a Movement (The Movement Maker) - TWO WINNERS

Tammy Bosse

Brief Bio: Eco-entrepreneur Tammy Bosse creates movements that merge business success with environmental stewardship. As a three-time "Best Green REALTOR" winner and solar consultant, she transforms how people think about sustainable living. From serving as VP of Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce to her appointment as Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commissioner, Tammy orchestrates large-scale change by connecting ecosystem health to economic prosperity—proving that living in concert with the earth is both profitable and essential.

Why this alignment: Tammy has been involved in creating multiple sustained movements: citizen movements to create envisioned cities, neighborhood transformation, statehood pride, and connecting ecosystem to economy. She explicitly describes "creating a movement that merges business, personal consumer choices and sustainability" and "Creating the movement to inspire action through sharing information." Her work demonstrates the long-term vision and sustained effort required to mobilize people around shared causes.

Dr. Joel Martin

Brief Bio: Dr. Joel Martin is a global transformational leadership expert who has impacted lives across 13 nations over 30 years. As founder of Positively Powerful Development Corp and creator of education summits, she specializes in fostering unity, inclusion, and belonging in municipalities and corporations. Her genius lies in building movements that don't just change policies—they transform hearts and minds, creating sustainable cultures where diversity isn't just welcomed but celebrated as essential for success.

Why this alignment: Joel has spent 30 years creating transformational movements across 13 nations, working with Fortune 500 companies and municipalities to foster "unity, inclusion, equity, and belonging." As founder of Positively Powerful Development Corp. and creator of education summits and awards, she demonstrates the ability to create sustained movements that mobilize people around diversity, equity, and inclusion on a global scale.

Power Tool #8 - Employ Every Medium (The Influencer)

Michelle Genece Patterson

Brief Bio: Peabody and six-time Emmy Award-winning content innovator Michelle Genece Patterson transforms storytelling into social change. For 18 years, she led CNN Heroes, creating an award-winning global campaign that redefined philanthropy and empowered everyday changemakers. Drawing from her Haitian heritage and elite education, she bridges worlds through authentic narratives that inspire action. Now through MindFire Productions, she continues amplifying underrepresented voices while helping organizations find their authentic storytelling power.

Why this alignment: Michelle has masterfully employed every medium throughout her career - from traditional broadcast at ABC News to innovative digital campaigns with CNN Heroes. She created a "cross-platform, multinetwork, global initiative" that leveraged high-profile talent, social media, streaming, and traditional television. Her work "broadened and deepened audience engagement" across multiple channels, and she successfully cultivated partnerships with major foundations, growing campaign investments to $1.2 million. Her ability to "amplify the voices of diverse and marginalized individuals and communities" across all media platforms makes her an ideal Influencer.

8. Power Tool #9 - Tell Your Story (The Activator)

Anise Fuller

Brief Bio: Detroit-born filmmaker Anise Fuller uses her story as a single mother and entertainment entrepreneur to drive industry-wide change. As a Board Director for Alliance of Women Directors and Events Chair for Black Directors Advancement Initiative, she transforms personal challenges into professional advocacy. Her production company Walk by Faith Productions and EMBA from Howard University fuel her mission to increase diversity behind the camera, proving that authentic storytelling and lived experience are the most powerful tools for systemic change.

Why this alignment: Anise powerfully uses her personal story - as a single mother navigating divorce while running a production company - to drive broader change in the entertainment industry. She explicitly connects her lived experience to her leadership, stating how "juggling responsibilities of being a single mother and running my own production service company has taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability." She transforms personal challenges into advocacy for diversity behind the camera, using her story to create systemic change in Hollywood.

These are just 10 of the over 5,000 women we have provided our unique and proven effective programs to. Join me in applauding them. They and their stories are exactly why I do this work. Learn more about it and join us at www.taketheleadwomen.com.

GLORIA FELDT is the Co-founder and President of Take The Lead, a motivational speaker, and a global expert in women’s leadership development and DEI for individuals and companies that want to build gender balance. She is a bestselling author of five books, most recently Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take The Lead for (Everyone’s) Good. Honored as Forbes 50 Over 50, and Former President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she is a frequent media commentator. Learn more at www.gloriafeldt.com and www.taketheleadwomen.com. Find her @GloriaFeldt on all social media.