In honor of International Women's Day 2026, I am continuing this series on what drives promotion velocity, a deeper leadership bench, and lasting influence for women leaders.

Here is what I know from 25 years of working with world-class athletes, Olympians, executives, and rising leaders:

It’s very possible that you are more ready than you think to have a bigger voice at the bigger table.

And with the right preparation, even the most challenging rooms become rooms where you are highly influen...

If you’ve ever ‘choked’ during an important conversation, it means that you’re human and that you care deeply about the outcome which is great! What’s not so great is that many times our inability to emotionally regulate robs us of our ability to influence, especially when the stakes are high.  

Here’s a look at my recent closed session at SFVegas for the Rising Stars cohort at Women in Securitization.  The focus was on Clarity, and what I'm about to share works any time of year, especially whe...

If you consider the research, only about 7% of what we say is interpreted through our actual words.

Everything else is interpreted through our tone, our gestures, our body language, how we move, how we hold ourselves ... and even the cadence and tone of our voice.

So before I share three nonverbal cues that can quietly take away from your ability to influence, I want to start with something I know you’ve heard me say before:

Whatever you’re thinking comes out of your mouth.

In other words .....

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 softba...

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 id...

Preparation is powerful. But here’s the trap I see so many fall into: they spend all their time practicing the “why” behind their ask… and almost no time practicing the “what.”

When negotiating salary, budget, or new opportunities, leaders will confidently talk about their accomplishments and impact. But when the conversation turns to “So what are your salary expectations?”—their voice changes, their tone drops, and their confidence wavers. Yes, making a bold ask, especially a pecuniary one, is...

Have you ever noticed that right when you’re about to ask for something important—like a raise, more resources, or a new opportunity—resistance shows up?

Maybe it’s worry, fear, or imposter syndrome whispering in your ear. Most of us, understandably, see these emotions as negative. . But what if they were actually superpowers in disguise?

Resistance is often our ego’s way of trying to protect us. But instead of fighting it, you can reframe it into wisdom and fuel.

Here’s how:
✔ First, notice t...

Many times leaders prepare for negotiations with facts, research, and strategy. Yet they skip the very first—and most crucial—step: emotional regulation.

Without it, even the most confident  ‘ask’ can fall flat.

One client of mine recently received a dream job offer. On paper, it looked incredible. But she knew the offer wasn’t as strong as it could be. The emotion on her mind was ‘worry’. After a five-month search, she was afraid that if she asked for more, she might lose the opportunity alto...

The research tells us that women get offered less, and rarely try to negotiate compensation packages.

Let’s change that! 

It could be a new role, a bigger salary, additional resources, or even just the chance to lead the next big project. Yet so many leaders—no matter how advanced—feel hesitation, worry, or even imposter syndrome when it comes time to make an ask for what they want and deserve..

That’s why I created this short 3-part video series: “Get Compensated for What You're Worth”

Here...

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer at TTEC, about the realities of leadership, balancing competing priorities, and the evolving role of HR in shaping organizational success.

Laura shared how her parents deeply influenced her path—her father, who instilled the importance of working in service of others, and her mother, who created memorable experiences while raising six children. These lessons inspired Laura...