This week, something different. I’ve invited two of my previous guests to join me. Each of them have significant corporate experience and strong opinions on women in leadership.

The first of these is Kelly Ann McKnight. Kelly Ann was my first guest, almost 50 podcasts ago.

Kelly Ann is a very experienced Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge. She’s worked across a broad range of clients delivering leadership programs. She’s also worked with and coached many women at all levels.

Joining Kelly Ann for this conversation is Ittela Ali. Ittela pursued a rewarding career of 20 years in Program Management, Revenue Operations, GTM Enablement and Change Management in the USA, UK and Canada. Now, she is the COO and co-founder of ReMendIt and also owns a training and consulting firm, Train 4 Development.

Coincidentally, the three of us are based in Canada.

I want to talk to them both about how women have been given opportunities - or not - in recent years. What’s holding women back? Is empowerment and equal opportunities really working for women or are we years away from equality in the workplace?

I’m sure this is going to be a lively discussion so let’s get started.

If you’ve been a regular listener to my Podcasts, I’m sure you’ll know that I’m on a quest to talk to inspiring woman leaders around the world.

Of course, that often means women with diverse backgrounds.

My special guest today certainly fits those criteria.

Jenell Paul has an engineering degree. She’s a proud woman of color – specifically she’s African-American. She claims the shortest period of retirement - only a few hours – before she was offered a position she couldn’t refuse.

During her career, as a woman and a woman who was an engineer, she was the subject of discrimination.

As a woman and an African-American she was the subject of discrimination.

Did that stop Jenell ? No way.

She’s now a powerful leadership coach and continues to inspire others and make a difference in this world.

I am so looking forward to talking to Jenell.

In producing this podcast, I always look for women leaders who have an inspiring leadership story to tell – and for us all to learn from.

As you might have gathered if you’re a regular listener, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to many who are Certified Masters of The Leadership Challenge. In fact, my first guest was fellow-Canadian and Certified Master, Kelly Ann McKnight.

Today I’m so pleased to be talking to another Certified Master, Brittney Majka.

Brittney is taking her expertise as a Certified Master to a whole new and exciting level. She has recently begun her doctoral research focused on two areas I’m passionate about. The first of these is of course leadership. And the second is parenting.

Of course, parents are leaders ! I’m excited to learn how she’s making the connection between The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership – and parenting. And this becomes her doctoral thesis.

Even if you’re not a parent – or a woman - I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this important conversation on parenting and leadership.

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