Celebrating Women in Leadership

What a week! As I made my last New York trip of 2022, I landed and took a moment to soak it all in, to be grateful for my many blessings, and to celebrate my ability to once again move freely in this world. It is a beautiful thing to be able to make decisions with very minimal restrictions, to feel safe traveling solo, and to feel secure in speaking up and supporting causes I believe in. It’s been a powerful week with so many reminders that being a woman is special. 

I kicked off my week keynoting LashCon—the largest gathering of lash experts and artists created by Tussanee's Integrity Lash founders Tussanee Luebbers and Paul Luebbers . With over 700 attendees, it was refreshing to look into the audience and see hundreds of female entrepreneurs creating and starting their own businesses. I love the beauty industry. We have the highest number of “kitchen” and “self-taught” entrepreneurs compared to any other field. 

From there I flew to NYC on a red-eye and was greeted by two female flight attendants that told me I was beautiful and that they loved my hair. Our bond as women is strong enough that we find the energy to uplift and support one another even when we're exhausted in the middle of the night.

I had the honor of attending the JPMorganChase "Leadership in Beauty" event featuring several titans of beauty including BeautyStat Cosmetics Founder and BrainTrust Founders Studio member, Ron Robinson and keynote speaker Bobbi Brown who shared learning, insights and also recounted failures throughout her incomparable career and her latest award winning brand, Jones Road Beauty  

Bobbi said it best “Nothing is a failure but the opportunity to do something else.”  She also reminded us to “Find joy in what we are doing.”

Being in the presence of so many phenomenal women while also being back in NY brought back memories of when I first moved there in 2002 and joined New York Women in Communications —the largest organization of women leaders across communications, marketing, advertising, etc. From day one of my career, I learned the importance of having an interconnected group of women standing alongside you aligned in our quest to be seen, heard and included.

This week, I was also able to soak up the honor of being included in this year's ‘Top 100 Leaders Award: The Most Influential Women in Leadership 2022’ by March8 Magazine based on our work at BrainTrust BrainTrust Founders Studio and the clients, founders and partners we have the privilege of serving. 

When I look at my fellow leaders, I’m further encouraged and empowered by the great women driving innovation, the economy, and the trajectory of growth in this country.

To be included among these amazing trailblazers, role models, and innovators, is so humbling. Congratulations to all the “Top 100 Leaders” such as Shelli Brunswick Maxine Clark Roz Brewer , Corie Barry Anna Brailsford , Thasunda Brown Duckett , Kirsten Green Mellody Hobson , Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and so many more

Check out the full list here: https://lnkd.in/ebaQpv93 

 “Leaders have a tremendous influence on individuals and organizations…At March8, leaders are those who advocate for others, while making tough but fair decisions. Leaders lend their voice when others struggle to find theirs and they drive innovation, creativity, and of course, personal and professional development.” 

A very special thank you to the team at March8 – Stacy Green , Lucy Buchholz , Emily Cook , Rebekah Birleson , Matt Johnson, and Marta Morais. March8 is aiming to Educate – Motivate – Elevate women in business and society. 

Let's continue celebrating Influential Women in Leadership! This is a historic time. I look forward to learning more about what these midterm results will mean for our country and for the progression of women and female rights. We must stand together and not be divided on the issues that will impact us all for generations to come. 

Congratulations to:

Zaynab Mohamed , one of three Black women to make history being elected to the Minnesota Senate. No Black women have served in the state Senate in 164 years of statehood. Mohamed is the youngest. Maura Healey , who’s made history as the first openly lesbian U.S. governor and the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts.@Summer Lee who won the election to the House, becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania.

“We fought. We built coalitions. We brought together people who had never worked together on campaigns,” Ms. Lee said late Tuesday evening, calling her campaign a “multicultural, multi-generational movement.”

And lastly on this #veteransday2022 , I am most supported and inspired by my first "boss", friend, mentor and forever my mother, Teresa Bledsoe and all my countless family members who have served across various branches of the US Military.

Together, we are ALL creating impact! 

 #celebrating100women #Top100Leaders #FemaleLeaders #WomenInBusiness #WomenEmpowerment #innovation #leadership #team #development #leaders