Let’s go to Texas today !

And let’s talk to Meredith Garcia who is developing 3,000 leaders.
Well, not all by herself – at least, I don't think so.
Meredith had a solid corporate career and then successfully ran her own business for a number of years.
But the attraction of an offer to return to work in a large state government authority in her home state of Texas – and developing leaders - was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
Three thousand ? I want to find out how she did that !

So let’s talk to Meredith

Let’s talk about love.

Jim Kouzes, the co-author of The Leadership Challenge, signs his emails ‘Love ‘em and lead em’.

Helena Clayton is my special guest today. So why the reference to Jim Kouzes and ‘Love ‘em and lead ‘em ? ?

Helena is UK-based and has developed leaders for some of the UK’s largest companies for well over 25 years, delivering leadership programs and leadership coaching.

Now in all that time she must have impacted thousands of leaders.

Oh – so where does love come in ? Helena believes in the power of love in leadership.

And I want to know more !

So let’s talk leadership - and love - with Helena Clayton.

My guest this week has just received an award for 30 years service in the Department of Social Service in the state of Texas.

More specifically, her work has been in the critically important area of Protective Services.

Lawandra Smith is passionate about developing leaders who work in this area of government helping families and people at risk.

So passionate is she that two years ago she became a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge to be able to take her development of others to another level.

And her passion and sense of purpose drove out of early retirement to continue to make a difference on the department she loves.

I'm so pleased to introduce Lawandra Smith

I’m really excited to be starting my podcast journey for 2024 with a woman who I think is truly remarkable.

The role that she has, literally impacts on the lives and more specifically the health of just over 6 million people.

Dr Heidi Miller is the Chief Medical Officer for the state of Missouri …. in the US, of course. The CMO of any state or government has to manage the multiple interests and pressures which come from so many - from government, to all the states healthcare practitioners and organizations, pharmaceutical companies and of course her primary clients, the citizens of Missouri. She even makes time to conduct regular consultations in her clinic.

I can assure you, a role like this requires not only extensive medical expertise across the entire spectrum of medical attention but also great understanding and demonstration of … you guessed it - leadership.

Dr Heidi Miller is a graduate of Harvard Medical school and has been a committed leader for many years, well before taking on the role of CMO.

Let’s find out more about her amazing leadership journey .

My guest this week comes with a passion for developing leaders. And to deliver the best results she can, not only does she have a PhD with the focus being on leadership, but she has 23 certifications – and growing – on behavior, personality and leadership which she uses as necessary to get the best results with individual leaders.

Dr Rachel Monteverdi is also a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge.

Dynamic, passionate and committed are three words I could use to describe Dr Rachel.

But you decide for yourself. Either way, I know, like me, you’re going to learn so much from her in this conversation.

So let’s say Hi to Dr Rachel

This week - a ‘first’. This is the first time in forty podcasts that I’ve invited a guest back.

And yes, this is podcast 40 in my journey having conversations with inspiring woman leaders.

Last year Elise Sinha joined me, and we talked about the inspiring leadership she and other dedicated healthcare executives delivered to get us through the Covid crisis.

Now Elise is a very busy leadership coach. I recently read a blog she wrote about Vulnerability – the Untapped Leadership Superpower.

I needed to know more.

So this week let’s say ‘welcome back’ - and Hi to Elise.

If you’re a regular listener to my podcasts, I’m sure you’ll know that I’m a great supporter of anything which can help women in the workplace,

That means anything which can help their careers, their empowerment, their leadership development – and even their most important role, being a mom.

My guest today is Rowen Nadia Astrom.

Rowen had a career in corporate communication, branding and marketing and now has her own company doing just that – and more.

As a new mom, Rowen identified critical issues – even obstacles - for women who wanted to return to their careers after maternity leave or any other prolonged absence from the workplace.

Even after a short period away for maternity leave, women can have doubts about work performance, a loss of confidence, and other maybe subtle workplace issues - apart from the major concern of being away from her beautiful child.

As a mom of a young child, I can relate to all of that.

Rowen has set up an online platform to help women return to work after a prolonged absence for whatever the reason – and I know I’m going to learn a lot about this help which is now available for women.