In the Cut
LEADERSHIP BLOG
An intro from Sheila.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Tuti Scott
Born in a rural town and shaped by adversity and resilience, Tuti’s participation in basketball provided her with her first taste of belonging, leadership and achievement. Acknowledging her white privilege, Tuti forged a path of equity for women leading change in companies, nonprofit organizations and in the game of money and power. A lifelong feminist, Tuti’s passion for humanity and the survival of our planet are at the core of what motivates her.
Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself
I’m Sheila. Sheila E. to be exact and since there’s a brilliant musical artist who goes by that name, Sheila will do just fine.
I’m a strategist, builder and leader.
I’m a Midwest transplant to the west coast.
Moving On
In 2012, JG Larochette took a huge leap of faith to start Mindful Life Project (MLP), an organization dedicated to transforming schools from the inside out with innovative and comprehensive mindfulness based socio-emotional learning programming. He started without a budget or business plan. What he did have was a profound knowing that the organization had to be founded.
This summer, he announced his exit from MLP and the startup of Mindful Rising and I’m here for it!
Who is Your Best Boss Ever?
A few weeks ago, a former team member named me as her best boss ever which immediately made me ponder who was mine. It took seconds for me to name Lisa Nash as that person.
What I love most about Lisa is the ease in which she supports her team. We were all young in our careers, including Lisa, and capable of delivering at the highest levels. Lisa encouraged that in us and knew that our success, was her success.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Wilma Wallace
A senior executive leader, Wilma brings experience designing and leading global legal, risk, compliance and ESG programs (including equity) and enterprise transformation. As a legal expert, former Corporate Secretary, Corporate Executive and seasoned public and nonprofit board member, she is known as a collaborative, values-driven partner and trusted advisor. Wilma is a champion for social impact, environmental justice, and human rights and a frequent public speaker and instructor on leadership, law department management, business and human rights, and transforming into a more just, equitable and sustainable society.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Veronica Very
Veronica is the founder and visionary behind Wonder of Women International, and the co-creator of the award-winning WOW Gallery, and the Dear Sista, I See You. Healing Art Exhibition, and WOW Healing Villa South Africa all co-imagined and created and owned with the love of her life, internationally renowned visual artist Hiawatha D. Veronica is a thought-provoking speaker, teacher, and writer, who compels audiences to remember their power and activate their purpose. A beautiful force of love and light, she easily fosters community and invites us to return to our breath and lean into self-care to co-create change in our individual lives, society, and the world.
The “Best Boss” Surprise
It’s Thankful Thursday and today I’m grateful for a surprise text I received last week. The sender said I was her best boss ever!
Who is this wonderful soul, you ask? Her name is Hannah Cardenas and if you want someone incredibly loyal, hardworking, inquisitive, creative, energetic, collaborative and supportive on your team, please consider reaching out to her. I know for certain that you’ll be glad you did!
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Andrea Willis
With a life dedicated to making the world better for children and their families, Andrea lives the mission of every organization she works with and for. She’s the partner on a leadership team who you can always rely on to hold your confidence and share her honest perspective on challenging situations. Underneath all that is a writer with stories to tell!
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Dr. Nwando Anyaoku
Nwando is known for her strategic brain, compassionate heart and ability to speak into complex decision-making environments with clarity and conviction. Over 2 decades, she has combined clinical and operational experience with advocacy in leading transformative healthcare strategies. Her roles are underpinned by her commitment to innovation and equity and her expertise as a board-certified pediatrician.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Venu Gupta
Committed to fostering solidarity and political engagement among people of color across backgrounds and identities, Venu’s work spans many sectors including law, business, media, education and nonprofit. A compassionate, human-centered leader, Venu works with individuals and clients to explore and promote anti-racism and racial justice practices.
Sheila and Venu discussed Venu’s leadership style and her aspirations to transition into ministry. They also explored the concept of inspiration, the importance of decision-making and the impact of personal values on leadership.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Archita Fritz
Archita says that she was never supposed to be in those rooms. Not in boardrooms where multi-million-dollar decisions get made. Not in private equity meetings where marketing is an afterthought. Not in leadership huddles. The only woman. The only person of color. The only voice asking different questions. And yet, here she is. A LinkedIn Top Voice in Thought Leadership and award-winning product marketing strategist, innovator, keynote speaker, podcaster and board member.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Dr. Thane Kreiner
Dr. Thane Kreiner started his impressive career as a scientist, founding and leading 4 life sciences ventures as the CEO. As the Executive Director of Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, he transformed it into the world’s leading university-based accelerator. Building on his relationship with Santa Clara University, Thane co-founded Black Corporate Board Readiness designed to accelerate the representation of qualified Black leaders in corporate governance.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Sena Kwawu
Sena holds equally the skills of an operator and innovator and has put them to good use over his impressive career in high growth and mature public companies. His transformational leadership instincts started in Ghana and have benefited global teams and the customers they serve. At whatever table Sena has a seat, expect that his contributions will matter today and for many days to follow.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Tsitsi Hampton
Meet Tsitsi Hampton, a career merchant with a strong female family foundation, she leads with a spirit grounded in respect and collaboration. She is always comfortable in her leadership roles and clear about what needs to happen “in the moment” to successfully lead her teams. As she says, “Leadership must be fluid to meet the moment.”
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Delida Costin
Committed to equipping individuals and teams to get to where they want to be, Delida Costin has spent more than 3 decades serving as a chief legal officer, chief people officer, corporate secretary, board member and investor.
I guarantee that if you read this short In the Cut Leadership Conversation, you’ll leave with something new on your mind.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Lisha Bell
My 2nd installment of In The Cut Leadership Conversations, features Lisha Bell, a tech veteran and a fearless warrior in the creation of wealth for underrepresented founders and investors.
Read her inspiring story and why her work is so important… for all of us.
Encouragement is a Necessary Management Instinct
The truth is that things don’t always go as you planned. You are not in control of everything and mistakes are going to happen. How you deal with this and how you are supported influences how you feel in the moment and long after.
The Positive Impact of Mindfulness on Young People
It’s Thankful Thursday and today I’m celebrating the groundbreaking work of the Mindful Life Project and its Founder and Executive Director, JG Larochette.
JG and I met last year on LinkedIn. He reached out to join my network and I took a look at his profile and website, loved the work he is doing and accepted his invitation. We then connected on a short call where I learned more about his organization and his dedication to young humans.
Celebrating 10 Years!
I met Precious J. Stroud, Founder, BlackFemaleProject, a handful of years ago after receiving an invitation to an event. I was so impressed with her mission that I wanted to know more.
Thankful Thursday: Ben Reuler
This week’s Thankful Thursday gratitude is for my new friend, Ben Reuler. Ben is the CEO of In the Area Productions in Seattle Washington and is leading some powerful anti-racism conversations with white leaders.