Monica Poulard Hawkins

Siri Chilazi is a senior researcher at the Women in Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School, and co-author of “Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results.” She helps organizations bridge the gap between research and practice using evidence-based approaches to workplace fairness.... https://bit.ly/TLP-479 #leadership #TheLeadershipPodcast #JimVaselopulos #JanRutherford #SiriChilazi #MakeWorkFair #WorkplaceFairness #GenderEquality #BehavioralScience #DataDrivenDesign #HarvardKennedySchool #WomenInPublicPolicy #UnconsciousBias #PerformanceEvaluation #CareerAdvancement #OptOutSystems #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion The Leadership Podcast

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Last weekend at the WISCAR Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) Annual Conference was truly transformative. The 2025 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference, themed “Claiming Our Future: Women in Leadership and Policy Transformation,” left me inspired, challenged, and full of possibilities. I am deeply grateful to my CEO,Debola Deji - Kurunmi of Visionary Compass Accelerator Program, for the sponsorship. From the music to keynotes, panels, and awards, every session carried lessons that demanded attention. • “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.” This line from one speaker stayed with me. Once you see your own power, you can’t go back to shrinking. • Mrs. Abosede George-Ogan revealed what the data is screaming: women in leadership aren’t just beneficial, they’re profitable. Accelerating women’s equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. This only happens when women step into leadership and organisations value competence over gender. She also emphasized th need to lend our voice through voting and proper representation. • Mr. Abubakar Suleiman Abubakar Suleiman, MD of Sterling Bank, shared an example of how they expanded paternity leave policies and how sustainable reforms must be backed by law. Leadership drives meaningful change. •Dr. Charles Ussie, Plan International, reminded us: you cannot design for people you do not understand. Feedback, partnerships, and measuring impact are keys to closing the gender gap. • Mrs. Funke Amobi Chartered CCIPD, FCIPD, FCIPM , Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised deliberate female leadership: hire for competence, measure inclusion, and collaborate with purpose. Collaborations happen when we are serious for change The keynote and fireside chat with Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, were electrifying. She shared real-life experiences breaking barriers that could have held her back. Key lessons: • The greatest #barriers are the ones we internalise. • Know who you are, own your mistakes, and know your values. • Policies that are gender-blind in theory become gender-biased in practice. • Visibility is not pride; it is stewardship. Her journey from Provost to Deputy Vice Chancellor to Vice Chancellor shows possibility is limitless. Female leadership is not about becoming a man, it is empathy wrapped in firmness. Speak up, refuse inferiority complexes, and claim opportunities. My top three actions • Tear down internal limitations with intentional courage • Immerse myself in bigger possibilities • Share my voice and build competence while sharpening character This conference didn’t just inspire me; it sharpened my leadership and strengthened my journey to becoming a more effective female leader. I will lean into my feminine energy as I serve the audience I am called to. Thank you, WISCAR, and thank you, Coach DDK, for this incredible opportunity. #femaleleadership#WISCAR2025#leadership

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The Data Catalyst Program (DCP), by Dasra and Project Tech4Dev, strengthens the capacity of nonprofit and data leaders to build scalable and sustainable data solutions for program expansion, organizational effectiveness and transformational impact. Spanning over four months, the DCP aims to bring together a diverse cohort of organizations, each working through real-world data challenges unique to their mission and context. Participants get to engage deeply with: - Expert mentorship to sharpen strategy and execution - Peer learning to exchange insights and build a strong network - Hands-on project support for practical, organization-level problem solving Organisations that have taken part of the DCP have have seen their data capabilities transformed, shifting from fragmented or reactive use of data to clear, proactive decision-making that drives systems change. Past Organizations include Saajha, Educate Girls, Medha and Key Education Foundation Applications close on June 5th, 2025.  Apply- https://lnkd.in/dJ7Bahxg Project Tech4Dev | goalkeep | 4th Wheel Social Impact | 10x Impact Labs | Kavneet Kaur | Freya Ray

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At the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise Frontiers of Business conference earlier this month, one message rang loud and clear for Oluwole Omolafe '27: the real skills gap isn’t just technical—it’s human. We’re missing a decade of developing the leadership traits machines can’t replicate: accountability, empathy, and resilience. 💡🤝 Read more of Emmanuel's blog on our website: https://lnkd.in/e_ECD2Dm #LutherHodgesScholars #KenanInstitute #KIFrontiers

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In my case, working in marine conservation in Eastern Africa, I see this constantly. Strong programmes. Solid community outcomes. Reports that read like activity logs. The measurement system was never built to answer the funder's actual question. It was built to prove the grant was spent correctly(This is quite a headache). Those are not the same thing, and conflating them is expensive. Measurement as investment readiness isn't a new concept. It just requires treating your MEL framework as a strategic asset, not an accountability checkbox.

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Jonathan H. Westover, PhD, MPA, AF-CIPD, SFHEA a member of our MBA Standards Board published this exceptional article. As economies advance through each developmental stage, work doesn’t just “evolve” — it restructures itself around new coordination logics. Complexity theory helps clarify why old organizational architectures often collapse under the weight of new economic realities. We’re not just witnessing technological disruption; we’re watching the emergence of entirely different modes of value creation, governance, and capability building. What stands out in this article is its structured, systems-level view. Too often, leaders focus on isolated workforce initiatives without recognizing they’re operating inside an economic complexity shift. Adaptive governance, talent ecosystems, and capability strategies aren’t optional—they’re the hard infrastructure of sustainable growth. This perspective is crucial for policymakers and C-suites navigating AI-driven transitions.

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Imhotep Memory Consultancy, LLC, led by Dr. Negus Rudison-Imhotep, Ph.D., is a distinguished organization dedicated to advancing cultural memory, promoting educational equity, and fostering community empowerment. The consultancy specializes in cultural equity audits, inclusive recruitment marketing, and strategic community network advising—equipping institutions with the tools to cultivate just and inclusive environments. Through dynamic lecture series and customized cultural competency training, Imhotep Memory Consultancy partners with educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations to confront systemic inequities and develop transformative solutions. Its work centers on deepening engagement with the experiences and histories of the African diaspora and other historically marginalized populations. Dr. Rudison-Imhotep, a leading cultural memory specialist and visionary educator, has been instrumental in driving forward civil and human rights efforts and reimagining equitable educational systems. His lifelong dedication to historical preservation and social advocacy forms the foundation of the consultancy’s mission: to ignite change, elevate consciousness, and empower communities to thrive. Learn more about Dr. Rudison-Imhotep - https://lnkd.in/gbmKFEv2

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Executive Summary | Marriage Retreat Impact – WinShape, Rome, GA At the WinShape Marriage Retreat in Rome, Georgia, Dr. David L. Banks, PhD delivered a transformational leadership session that redefined how husbands perceive their role within marriage. Engaging 73 married couples—each within their first five years of marriage—the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, openness, and a deep commitment to building lasting unions. During a powerful Saturday evening session exclusively for the husbands, Dr. Banks shifted the paradigm from passive partnership to intentional leadership. He equipped the men with strategic, Kingdom-centered insights on understanding their brides—not merely through communication, but through alignment, awareness, and purposeful action. Core Message Delivered: Marriage is not sustained by emotion alone—it is governed by design, discipline, and leadership. Dr. Banks challenged each husband to rise into his role as a king within his household, emphasizing: • Identity: A man must first understand who he is before he can effectively lead his marriage. • Responsibility: Kings do not react—they govern with wisdom, foresight, and intentionality. • Insight: Understanding their bride’s emotional, spiritual, and relational needs is not optional—it is essential. • Consistency: Lasting marriages are built through daily alignment, not occasional effort. Strategic Outcomes Observed: • Heightened awareness among husbands regarding their leadership influence • Renewed commitment to intentional love, honor, and protection within marriage • Clear frameworks for sustaining unity, communication, and long-term vision • A shift from survival mindset to legacy mindset in marriage Atmosphere & Engagement: The men were fully engaged—leaning in, asking questions, reflecting deeply, and embracing the call to lead at a higher level. The session did not just inform—it activated. Positioning Statement: Dr. Banks did not simply teach marriage principles—he architected a leadership blueprint for men to build marriages that are not only lasting, but legacy-driven. Closing Impact: This was more than a session—it was a defining moment. Seeds were planted that will shape homes, strengthen families, and influence generations.

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The GABA Marketplace Center, in partnership with Duchess Marketplace, is building a new commercial pathway for the African and Caribbean diaspora—one rooted in economic empowerment, global trade, and twenty-first-century innovation. Our work is not theoretical. It is active, measurable, and transforming the way diaspora-owned businesses access markets, develop products, and participate in international commerce. Through this partnership, we are creating a unified ecosystem that connects West African producers, Michigan-based distributors, and global consumers who are seeking authentic, high-quality African goods. Together, we are advancing a model that blends culture, commerce, and community impact. From agro-products and wellness essentials to digital platforms and logistics infrastructure, our approach allows small businesses to scale while preserving the cultural integrity of the products they create. The GABA Marketplace Center is not just a company. It is a strategic engine driving economic mobility for the diaspora across generations. Duchess Marketplace is not just a retail platform. It is a bridge that elevates African brands, brings them into mainstream markets, and ensures their long-term sustainability in the global economy. This is the journey, and the journey is now. We are building a future where African entrepreneurship thrives, where supply chains are rooted in transparency and integrity, and where the diaspora’s economic influence is recognized and respected across industries and borders. The work continues, and the momentum is only growing.

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