How Leaders Can Mitigate AI Bias for Women - an Interview with Sarah Lloyd Favaro, Senior Solutions Director, Office of Responsible AI and Governance at HCLTech
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of talking with Sarah Lloyd Favaro, Senior Solutions Director, Office of Responsible AI and Governance at HCLTech, about one of the most urgent and misunderstood leadership topics today: how leaders can mitigate AI bias for women.
Sarah’s career has always lived at the intersection of technology and learning. Long before generative AI swept into the mainstream, she was exploring how tech could enhance human capability (not replace it.) But with the rapid rise of AI tools, Sarah doubled down on understanding how these systems work, why bias appears, and how leaders can prepare their organizations for a future where AI is woven into every workflow.
What makes Sarah’s perspective so powerful is her blended expertise: she understands both the practical magic of AI and the very real risks. She believes strongly that if organizations benefit from AI’s productivity and innovation, they must also ensure equitable, responsibl...
Global Inclusion Summits: A World Tour Summary - an Interview with Melanie Moore, Inclusion & Enablement Leader (Global Regions) at Honeywell
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of speaking with Melanie Moore, the Inclusion and Engagement Leader at Honeywell, about “Building Inclusive Cultures That Drive Global Impact.”
Melanie’s journey into leadership wasn’t planned... it was discovered. A marketing major by degree, she was “accidentally” placed into a human resources internship, and that unexpected detour sparked a 30-year passion for people. From recruiting talent to fostering belonging across continents, Melanie has built her career on one guiding principle: say yes, try new things, and see where they lead.Â
Now leading Honeywell’s global Inclusion and Engagement efforts, Melanie has been traveling the world (from the U.S. to India, China, and Europe) hosting regional inclusion summits designed to meet people where they are. Rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach, each summit was uniquely tailored to the challenges and cultures of its region. The response? Overwhelming gratitude and ren...
Mental Preparation for Influencing Under Pressure (The “ECO” Mindset)
If you’ve ever walked into a high-stakes conversation with a great plan yet felt your words landed flat, you’re not alone. What we think and feel beforehand shapes what others hear (through our tone, body language, and presence.) That’s why mental preparation isn’t a “nice to have”... it’s a performance edge.
Over the last decade, my work with senior female leaders has shown a consistent pattern: those who prepare their mindset before they prepare their message influence more effectively… especially under pressure.
I’d like to share a simple, research-informed framework you can use right away.Â
The 3 Critical Steps (That We Often Skip)
When influence matters, there are three core steps:Â
- Gain clarity on your message
- Build internal confidence for your message
- Execute an influence framework with the right mental and tactical preparation
Most people skip that third step, and it can be devastating to outcomes with peers, leadership, and customers.
The “ECO” Mindset Model can help you wi...
The Power of Being Afraid - an Interview with Kim Thomas, SVP & CHRO, OneAmerica Financial
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Kim Thomas, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at OneAmerica Financial, about the power of fear and how leaning into discomfort has shaped her extraordinary leadership journey. Kim shared her personal story of growing up with instability at home, which inspired her from a very young age to take control of her future. That determination carried her through college, career uncertainty, leadership challenges, and even personal transitions such as divorce, always guided by her decision to choose courage over comfort.
Kim emphasized that real growth often happens at the edge of fear, and that by saying “yes” to opportunities (even those that seem intimidating) we develop the skills and confidence needed for long-term success. She also highlighted the importance of writing out a personal and professional vision, staying grounded in values, and taking consistent quiet time to reflect ...
Build Influence Without Being Seen as a Threat (Part 3 of 3): Optimism That Future-Casts a Joint Win
In Parts 1 and 2, we built trust with Strategic Empathy and Curiosity that Creates Trust. Now we complete the ECO Mindset Model with Optimism… not Pollyanna positivity, but a clear, credible future-cast that aligns what you want, what they need, and what the organization must achieve.Â
Why Optimism (and What It Is Not).
Optimism is the discipline of communicating a shared vision, better future, and the path to get there. It acknowledges real pressure and loss-pain, but refuses to leave anyone in that valley. Bring them up to a concrete “what good looks like” vision, so the conversation ends on a crescendo and forward motion.Â
Future-cast the Win (for Them, You, and the Business).
Once you’ve validated what’s at risk, ask: “If the end of Q4 were a 10/10, what would need to be true?” Then paint the joint outcome: what gets protected, what advances, what success metrics we’ll see. This shifts the room from defensiveness to determination.Â
Use “We/Us/Let’s” to Create Kinship.
Langua...
Power of Vision During Disruptive Times - an Interview with Kimberly Currier, Global Vice President, Talent Development at AECOM
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the distinct honor of sitting down with Kimberly Currier, Global Vice President of Talent Development at AECOM, about “The Importance of Vision During Disruptive Times.”
Kimberly’s story is one of grit, grace, and grounded vision. A former Division I softball player turned global executive, she learned early that success depends not only on skill, but on teamwork, resilience, and self-leadership. These lessons carried her from the softball field to the boardroom, where she now helps leaders navigate change and uncertainty with clarity and compassion.
Through career pivots (from 20 years at the American Cancer Society to corporate roles at Kimberly-Clark and AECOM) Kimberly has shown that growth doesn’t always mean “upward.” Sometimes it means stepping sideways or even slowing down to realign with your values and well-being. Her courage was tested in 2020, when the pandemic, organizational change, and serious health challenges ...
Build Influence Without Being Seen as a Threat (Part 2 of 3): Curiosity That Creates Trust
In Part 1 of the "Build Influence Without Being Seen as a Threat" series, we focused on Strategic Empathy… leading with what matters most to your stakeholder. Now we’ll build on that foundation with Curiosity that Creates Trust: asking brave, compassionate questions that surface pressures, fears, and desires so your ideas land without triggering a threat response.Â
Why Curiosity (and Why It’s a Little Uncomfortable).
Research and real-world practice point to a hard truth: people are most motivated to act by loss pain… what they’re afraid of losing (visibility, budget, credibility, timeline, even their job). Until we understand that loss pain, and the pressures driving it (our recommendations can miss the mark and even worse, feel like a threat.) Curiosity requires courage because it asks us to name what may be unsaid and then truly listen.Â
Validate Without Agreeing.
Start by acknowledging their reality, clearly and respectfully. Validation isn’t capitulation… it’s connection. For ...
Build Influence Without Being Seen as a Threat (Part 1 of 3): Strategic Empathy
If you’ve ever shared a strong idea and felt the room tense or held back because you "didn’t want to step on your boss’s toes," you’re not alone. Your voice matters A LOT, so let’s make sure it’s heard, valued, and respected. This series is doing just that while ensuring you are not held back or blocked by being perceived as a threat: Strategic Empathy.
Why “strategic empathy”?
Strategic Empathy isn’t just kindness, it’s preparation. It shows you understand and care what matters to the person (their priorities, pressures, and wins). When people feel seen and understood, they feel safe and therefore more open to your ideas, input, and requests. Strategic empathy is the runway to have your influence take off.
Plan as if you’re in their seat.
Before a key conversation, step into their role and ask:
- What’s mission-critical for them this quarter?
- What’s at risk (budget, headcount, credibility, timeline)?
- What would make this quarter a 10+?
Shape your message to help them win. L...
Seek Yourself Through Service - an Interview with Carrie Davis, Vice President Employee and Patient Experience, Hanger
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Carrie Davis, Vice President of Employee and Patient Experience at Hanger, about her journey and her inspiring message on “Seeking Yourself Through Service.” Carrie shared her deeply personal story of being born with a congenital upper limb difference and how that shaped her resilience, leadership style, and passion for creating belonging.
From hiding her true self as a child to now proudly embracing her identity—even turning her prosthesis into a sparkling symbol of confidence—Carrie’s story is a masterclass in authenticity, courage, and servant leadership. She emphasizes that true leadership is not about titles or ego, but about intention, empathy, and lifting others up.
Carrie’s wisdom is a reminder that whether challenges are visible or invisible, we all have the ability to create ourselves, step into courage, and lead with compassion.
🔑 Key Takeaways from the Interview with Carrie Davis:
-
...
The Resilience Required to Own Your Power - an Interview with Kim Beauvais, EVP, HR & Business Operations, FOX Sports
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Kim Beauvais, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Business Operations at FOX Sports, about resilience, leadership, and the importance of owning your power.
Kim credits her early upbringing—where the word “can’t” wasn’t allowed in her household—as a foundation for her mindset. From her time as a Division I soccer player to becoming a senior executive in the male-dominated world of sports, Kim has embodied a “can do” philosophy that continues to shape her leadership.
Throughout the conversation, Kim emphasized resilience not as a fixed trait but as a practice—something strengthened over time, much like building physical endurance. She shared candid insights on handling self-doubt, failing forward, and the power of surrounding yourself with a trusted circle of peers who both challenge and uplift you.
Her advice resonates not only for women in media or sports but for all leaders striving...
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