Four Poems That Break Your Heart Open And Stitch It Back Together
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How Smart Women Leaders Stay Visible Without Burning Out
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In the Heart of the Storm: Two Sudanese Doctors, One Unbreakable Spirit
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Lesley Carey
EDITOR’S LETTER
Redefining Power! Reimagining Purpose!
earReaders,
Inaneradefinedbytransformation,innovation,andresilience,womenacrossindustries arerewritingtherulesofleadership.Theworldof2025iswitnessingahistoricshift— onewhereinfluenceisnolongermeasuredmerelybypowerorposition,butbypurpose, impact,andempathy.Fromboardroomstoresearchlabs,fromdigitalplatformstowellnessretreats, womenareleadingwithvisionandauthenticity,provingthatempowermentisnotjustagoal—itis amovementshapingthefutureofbusiness,society,andhumanity.
ThisspecialeditionofMirrorReview,“The10MostInfluentialWomenin2025,”celebratesthese pioneerswhoaresettingnewstandardsofleadershipacrossglobalindustries.Theyareinnovators, change-makers,andmentorswhoinspireotherstodreamboldlyandactfearlessly Theirstories embodystrength,foresight,andanunwaveringcommitmenttocreatingamoreinclusiveand inspiredworld.
GracingourcoverstoryisLesleyCarey,theFounderandCEOofCashmereHotelGroup. Lesley’sunderstandingofluxurywasonceshapedbythepristineworldoffive-starhospitality— untilherfive-yearjourneywithTheBiggestLoserResortstransformedhervisionentirely What emergedfromthatexperiencewasanewdefinitionofluxury—onerootedinhealing, empowerment,andinnerwell-being.ThroughCashmereHotelGroupandEmpoweredInParadise LuxuryWellnessRetreats,Lesleyhasbuiltsanctuariesofmeaningfulindulgence—spaceswhere elegancemeetsemotionalrenewal.Herstoryreflectstheessenceofthisedition:reimaginingsuccess throughpurposeandcompassion.
Alsofeaturedinthisissueareotherremarkableleaders—NolieMacDonald,NakishaAdams,Linda Coughlin,andShannonGath—eachexemplifyingcourage,innovation,andtrailblazingspiritinher owndomain.Together,theyrepresenttheunstoppableforceofwomentransformingtheworld.
Parag Ahire Project Editor
NIKHIL
LESLEY CAREY
Cover Story
Cover Story
In the gilded world of luxury hospitality, where opulence has long been the primary currency, Lesley Carey is building something different. Her ventures, the Cashmere Hotel Group and Empowered in Paradise, are guided by a quieter, more profound principle: that true luxury doesn’t just surround you; it transforms you from within.
TherewasatimewhenLesleyCarey’sunderstandingof luxurywasshapedbytheimpeccablestandardsofhighendhotelsaroundtheworld.Hercareerwasajourney throughthesebastionsoffive-starservice,aworldofcrisp linens,attentivestaff,andflawlessexecution.Buta pivotalchapterinherprofessionallife,afive-yeartenure workingwiththeteambehindtheNBChitshow The Biggest Loser Resorts,wouldfundamentallyalterher perspective.AstheFounderandCEOofCashmere HotelGroupandEmpoweredInParadiseLuxury WellnessRetreats,thisexperiencebecamethecatalyst forherlife’swork.
Itwasthere,inanenvironmentdedicatedtoprofound personalchange,thatshewitnessedsomething extraordinary.Shesawindividualsarrivecarryingthe weightoftheiroldlivesand,throughacombinationof physicaleffort,nutritionalguidance,andadeeply supportivecommunity,leaveasentirelynewpeople.It wasaraw,powerful,anddeeplyhumanprocess. “Witnessing firsthand how a nurturing, holistic approach can spark profound personal transformation inspired me deeply,” sherecalls.Theexperiencecrystallizedanew visionforher. “It became clear that luxury could no longer be just about opulence—it needed to nourish the mind, body, and soul.” Thisrealizationwasthecatalyst foranewkindofenterprise,onethatwouldseektofuse theeleganceofluxuryhospitalitywiththelife-altering powerofpurposefulwellness.
TheFirstExpressionofaNewPhilosophy
Lesley’sfirststepinbringingthisvisiontolifewas thecreationofEmpoweredinParadise,aseriesof luxurywellnessadventureretreats.Thesewerenot designedtobesimplevacations,butimmersive journeys.Thegoalwastooffersomethingfarbeyond traditionalrestandrelaxation.Shecurated experiencesinsomeoftheworld'smostbreathtaking destinations,creatingaspacewhereindividualscould reconnectwiththemselves,resettheirgoals,and embraceasenseofempowerment.
Theretreatswerealaboratoryforherevolving philosophy.Theycombinedactivitieslikesurf lessons,mountainhikes,andislandritualswithdeep internalwork,includingbreakthroughmindset coachingandmindfulnesspractices.Thisfusionof adventureandintrospectionwasdesignedtoawakena person’spotential,notjustofferanescapefromtheir dailylife.Thesuccessoftheseretreatsconfirmed Lesley’sbeliefthattherewasapowerful,unmetneed fortravelexperiencesthatofferedgenuine transformation.
BuildingaSanctuary:TheGenesisofCashmere HotelGroup
In2019,Lesleytooktheprinciplesshehadhoned withherretreatsandappliedthemtoamore permanent,physicalmodel.Shefoundedthe CashmereHotelGroup,acompanybornfroma desiretochallengeandredefinethetraditionalluxury hotel. “I wanted to create something different—something that wasn’t just about lavish surroundings, but about an experience that truly transformed guests,” sheexplains.
Shesawaworldwherestressanddisconnectionwere becomingrampant.Inresponse,sheenvisioneda collectionofsanctuariesthatcouldofferempowerment, healing,andrichsensoryexperiences,allwrappedinthe eleganceoftrueluxury TheCashmereHotelGroupwas createdtomeetthisneed,bringinganewdimensionof meaningfulindulgencetodiscerningtravelers.Thegroup wouldcometoencompassnotjustCashmereResorts, butalsocontinuetheworkofEmpoweredinParadise andincludeTheLavenderHotelCollection,eachbrand speakingtoadifferentfacetofherholisticvision.
TheDualPillarsofaModernBrand
Today,Lesley’senterprisestandsontwocomplementary pillars,eachofferingadistinctbutphilosophically alignedexperience.
TheCashmereHotelGroupfocusesoncreatingrefined yetculturallyimmersiveboutiquehotels.Theproperties arecuratedtoblendmodernelegancewithadeeprespect forlocalheritage,whichisexpressedthroughart, cuisine,andarchitecture.Guestsenjoytailored experiences,frombespokeitinerariesandin-room wellnesstreatmentstocuratedculinaryadventures featuringlocalflavors.Sustainabilityisacornerstoneof thebrand,witheco-consciousoperationsandresponsible tourismpracticeswovenintothefabricofevery property
WhatsetsCashmereapartisitscommitmenttoquiet sophistication. “We appeal to travelers who seek discretion, intimacy, and serenity—not just flashy luxury,” Lesleynotes.Thisexperienceisfurther enhancedbydata-drivenpersonalization,whichensures thateachstayfeelsuniquelycraftedtotheguest’s desires,elevatingtheirvisitbeyondmere accommodationintosomethingdeeplypersonal.
EmpoweredinParadise,ontheotherhand,continues itsmissiontoprovidetransformationalretreatsthat weavetogethermind,body,andsoul.Theseexperiences areactiveandparticipatory.Thefusionofdeepinternal workwithadventureremainsakeydifferentiator A particularlynotablefocusoftheretreatsisthewomen’s empowermentprograms. “Designed by and for women,” Lesleysays, “they blend healing, leadership, and entrepreneurship within stunning, inspiring destinations.” Anonlinecommunityandcoaching ecosystemextendtheimpactoftheretreatfarbeyondthe physicaljourney,creatingalastingnetworkofsupport.
Together,thesetwobrandsstandoutintoday’sexperiencedrivenmarket.Cashmereprovidesanelevated,serene luxurygroundedinculturalsoul,whileEmpoweredin Paradiseoffersamoreactivepathtopersonalgrowth throughintentionalcommunityandlife-changingtravel.
AnEcosystemofExcellenceandEmpowerment
TheclientswhogravitatetoLesley’sbrandsaretypically discerninghigh-net-worthindividualswhovalueprivacy andimpeccable,personalizedservice.Theirexpectations arehigh,andLesleyhasbuiltanecosystemdesignedto meetthem. “They expect nothing less than flawless attention to detail—whether that’s a private dinner prepared by a celebrity chef, seamless transportation by private jet or helicopter, or exclusive access to the world’s leading luxury brands,” sheexplains.Privacyisparamount, andherteampridesitselfondeliveringtheseextraordinary momentswiththeutmostconfidentiality.Toachievethis, shecollaborateswithanexclusivenetworkofworldrenownedchefs,eliteaviationproviders,andiconicfashion andhospitalitybrandsthatshareherdedicationto excellence.
ThiscommitmenttoexcellenceismatchedbyLesley’s dedicationtowomen’sempowerment,aprinciplethat guideseveryfacetofherbusiness.Shedesignshospitality experiencesthattransformherpropertiesintoplatformsfor growthandconnection.Thismanifestsinpartnershipswith femaleentrepreneurs,artisans,andcreatives,apracticethat infusesherhotelsandretreatswithauthenticstoriesand talent.Mentorshipisalsointegraltohercompanyculture, withtrainingandleadershipprogramsdesignedtohelp womenateverylevelbuildconfidenceandadvancetheir careers. “My goal is to create environments where women feel truly seen, supported, and empowered to thrive,” she says.
TheLeaderattheHelm
Leadingacompanywithsuchadynamicandpersonal visionmeansthatnotwodaysarealikeforLesley. “One day I’m navigating strategic decisions, the next I’m pushing creative boundaries or engaging with partners and clients,” shesays.Shefindstheconstantchallengeandthe opportunitytoinnovatetobeinspiringandenergizing.
Thisjourneyhasnotbeenwithoutsignificanthurdles. “One of my proudest achievements is building something unique—something that no other company in the luxury space offers,” shereflects. “However, the journey hasn’t
Spetrini
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Never give up. Keep pushing boundaries, break through barriers, and most importantly know your worth.
Lorentzen
Jim Bullard
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Louie
been without obstacles.” Theonsetof theCOVID-19pandemicwasamajor challengethatforcedhertopivotand focusintenselyonbuildingthe foundationofCashmereHotelGroup fortwoyearsunderextremelydifficult conditions.Asawomanfounder,raising capitalinatraditionallymaledominatedindustrywasanother significanthurdleshehadtoovercome.
Lesley’sapproachtothesechallengesis oneofmindfulresilience. “During tough times, my go-to mantra is to step back, breathe, and then face the challenge head-on with renewed focus,” shesays. “Persistence and resilience are key.”
AFutureofPurposefulGrowth
ThepathaheadfortheCashmereHotel Groupisoneofanambitiousand thoughtfulglobalexpansion.Europeis attheforefrontoftheseplans,witha focusonestablishingapresenceinItaly andGreece,followedbyanextension intoBali,Indonesia Thegoalisto createunforgettable,immersive experiencesineachnewlocation, stayingtruetothebrand’scommitment toculturalauthenticity.Ahighlighton thehorizonisacollaborationwitha renownedcelebritychef,apartnership thatpromisestoelevateherculinaryand retreatofferingstonewheights.
Tofuelthisambitiousprofessional journey,Lesleyreliesonagrounded personallife. “Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a priority I hold dear,” shesays. “Family and friends are my anchor—they provide joy and perspective beyond the professional sphere.” Outsideofwork,Lesley indulgesherloveforcooking,which shefindsbothcreativeandtherapeutic. Shealsoenjoysgolf,swimming,and travelingwhenevertimeallows.These activitiesrechargeher,allowingherto bringfreshenergybacktoherwork.
Herfinalthoughtsareadirectmessagetoaspiringleaders, especiallywomenenteringabusinessworldthatcanoften feelunwelcoming.Itisamessageforgedfromherown experiencesofbreakingthroughbarriers. “Never give up,” shesayswithconviction.
“Keep pushing boundaries, break through barriers, and most importantly—know your worth. Walk into every room, especially those dominated by men, with confidence and purpose. Own your space unapologetically.”
LINDA COUGHLIN
GUIDING C-SUITES THROUGH DISRUPTION— A CASE FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP COACHING.
Inthemidstofongoingeconomicand technologicalchange,corporateleadershipis encounteringauniquesetofchallenges. Successfullynavigatingmergers,restructurings,and digitaltransformationsdemandsnotonlyacumenbut alsoahighdegreeofadaptabilityandsound decision-making.Inthiscontext,manyexecutivesare seekingguidancetohelpthemsteertheirorganizations effectively
LindaC.Coughlin,aseasonedexecutivecoach, operatesinthishigh-pressureenvironment,bringinga wealthofexperiencefromhercareeradvisingprominent companiessuchasAmericanExpressandCendant.She currentlyleadsGreatCircleAssociates,aconsultancy thatspecializesinleadershipatpivotalmoments.This profileaimstoevaluatehercareer,methods,andthe impactshehasmadeinherfield.Coughlinstandsasa compellingexampleofeffectiveleadership, demonstratingresilience,strategicforesight,anda dedicationtofosteringrobustexecutiveactionintimesof uncertainty.
FromEquestrianFieldstoBoardrooms:ACareer ForgedinChange
LindaCoughlin’sjourneytoexecutivecoachingis particularlyuniqueandinspiring.Herinitialforayinto masteringskillsbeganintheworldofequestriansports, wheresheexcelledasaprofessionaltrainer.This experienceallowedhertocultivateessentialattributes suchasdiscipline,strategicthinking,andnuanced communication—traitsthatnaturallytranslateinto effectivecorporateleadership.Acareertransition, promptedbyaninjury,ledhertoexploreopportunitiesin thecorporatesphere.Ratherthanviewingthischangeas adetour,Coughlinembraceditasapivotalmoment, showcasingherremarkableadaptability,whichhassince definedherprofessionalpath.
Coughlinhasheldavarietyofearlyroles, includingexecutiveassistantandpositionswithin thelawandinsurancesectors.Theseexperiences havesignificantlyenhancedherorganizational acumenandclient-focusedapproach.Initially appearingdisparate,thesefoundational experiencesultimatelycoalescedtoshapea leadershipstyledistinguishedbyresilience, strategicflexibility,andacommitmenttofostering trust-basedrelationships.
Throughouthercareer,Coughlinhasmadenotable advancementswithinmajorcorporations.At ScudderInvestments,shesuccessfullyinitiated andscaledtheAARPInvestmentProgram,leading toasubstantialincreaseinassetsunder management,whichreached$15billion.This accomplishmentisindicativeofherstrategic foresightandoperationalproficiencyina competitivelandscape.
AtCendantCorporation,asChiefAdministrative Officer,sheguidedasignificantcorporate restructuringthatoptimizedoperationsand resultedincostsavingsof$100millionwithinan 18-monthperiod.Thiseffectivetransformation highlightsnotonlyherdecisiveleadershipbutalso herabilitytoinstigateefficiencyincomplex organizationalchange.Furthermore,herroleat Linkage,Inc.,asPresidentandViceChair, reinforcedherdeepexpertiseinleadership developmentandorganizationalconsulting.
Theseesteemedexecutiverolesserveasmorethan justentriesonherrésumé;theyreflecther exemplarycapacitytolead,restructure,and generateresultswithinmultifacetedorganizations, therebyenhancinghercredibilityasanexecutive coach.
ACoachingPhilosophyRootedin PracticalityandPurpose
Coughlin’scoachingmethodologyis characterizedbyitsemphasisonactionable strategiesandmeasurableoutcomes.She skillfullyframeschallengesasvaluable opportunitiesforgrowth,fosteringa reflectiveyetproactivemindsetamongher clients.Thisapproachtranscends theoreticalframeworksbygrounding leadershipdevelopmentintangibleactions andobservableprogress.
Hercoachingprocessbeginswith“The DiscoveryProcess,”athoughtfully structuredexplorationofaclient's professionaljourneyandpersonalvalues. Thisprocessgoesbeyondconventional personalityassessments,servinginsteadas astrategicdiagnostictoolthatidentifies strengthstoleveragewhilealsorecognizing areasfortargetedenhancement.Toolssuch asthe“LeadershipTimeline”facilitate clientself-awarenessandpattern recognition,helpingthemgaininsightsinto theirleadershipbehaviorsacrossdiverse situations.Thisstructuredself-reflection servesnotonlyasintrospectionbutalsoas adata-informedapproachtouncoveringthe underlyingfactorscontributingtoboth effectiveleadershipandexistingchallenges.
Inthesubsequentphase,Coughlinassists clientsincrafting“DevelopmentPlans” centeredaroundtheir“PurposeStatement.” Thispurpose-drivenstrategyenriches skills-basedcoachingbyaligning leadershipdevelopmentwithaprofound senseofprofessionalmeaningand organizationalcontribution.Thesework-life mapsmeticulouslyoutlineintentions, identifystrengthsandweaknesses,and establishclearcommitmentsalongwith measurableactions.Thisprocessevolves beyondmeregoal-setting,transforminginto astrategicroadmapforleadership developmentthatintegratespersonalvalues withprofessionalobjectives,thereby promotingaccountabilityfor sustainedgrowth.
Linda C. Coughlin Founder | Great Circle Associates
Coughlinencouragesclientstosharetheirdevelopment planswiththeirteams,whichfostersanatmosphereof transparencyandcollaborativeleadershipcultures.This commitmenttotransparencyisnotonlyabestpractice butalsoastrategicinitiativeaimedatbuildingtrust, enhancingteamengagement,andnurturingenvironments conducivetoinnovationandsharedaccountability
ImpactandRecognition:Quantifiable
Resultsand IndustryAcknowledgment
Coughlin’sinfluenceextendswellbeyondindividual coachingengagements;heradvisoryserviceshave significantlycontributedtoorganizationsnavigating strategictransformations,mergers,andthepursuitofnew marketopportunities.Clientsacrossavarietyofsectors havereportedmeasurablereturnsoninvestment(ROI) andnoticeableenhancementsinorganizationalefficiency andeffectiveness.Theseoutcomesreflectnotonly positivetestimonialsbutalsoconcreteresultsthat underscorethevalueofhercoachingandadvisory services.
Herpublication,“EnlightenedPower:How WomenAreTransformingthePracticeof Leadership,”positionsherasaprominent thoughtleaderintherealmsof organizationalchangeandinclusive leadershipmodels.Thisworktranscends mereacademiccontributions,engagingin meaningfuldiscourseonleadershipand advocatingforcollaborativeand transformativeapproaches.
Coughlin’srecognitionasoneofthe“20 DirectorstoWatch”byDirectorsand Boardsmagazinefurtherhighlightsher standingandinfluencewithincorporate governance.Thisacknowledgment signifiesnotonlyaremarkable achievementbutalsotherespectand recognitionofherpeersregardingher expertiseandimpactwithinthecorporate directorcommunity
WhilequantifyingthepreciseROIof executivecoachingcanbecomplex, Coughlinpresentsacompellingcaseforits effectiveness.Hercareertrajectory illustratesaconsistentrecordoffacilitating organizationalchangeandenhancing leadershipeffectivenessacrossdiverse settings.Herstructured,purpose-driven coachingmethodologyprovidesareliable frameworkforleadershipdevelopment, withclienttestimonialsandindustry accoladesvalidatinghercontributions.
Therearepoemsthatdance. Therearepoemsthatdazzle. Andthentherearepoemsthat do somethingelse entirely
Theydon’taskforyourattention—theyreachinandtake it.Quietly.Fiercely.Likeachildtuggingatyoursleeveora memoryyouweren’treadytoremember.
Thesefourpoemsdidthattome.Theymademestopmidstep.Theymademesitdown.Theymademebreathein sharplyandpressahandtomychestthewaywedowhen wordstouchthesacredplacethathasnoname—the intersectionofacheandawe.
Soheretheyare.Fourpoemsaboutmotherhood—aboutthe giving,theholding,thelettinggo.Aboutthebrutal tendernessofraisingandbeingraised.Thesearenotjust poems;theyarewindowsintoroomsyoudidn'tknowyou keptlocked.
1. What Children Say
byKateBaer
Ican’treachmycup,mywaterbottle, thesnackupontheshelf.Ican’tdo it.Iwon’tdoit.Iwouldneverdoit inamillionyears.Youneedtohelp me.Helpmefaster.Doittheway Iaskedyouto.Idon’tlikepizzaor watermelon.Idon’tlikeanythingI likedbefore.Idonotwantit.Ido notneedit.Iwillnevermoveupoff thisfloor.Donothelpme.Donot holdme.Donotsitdownbesidemy bed.I'mnotsleeping.I’mnottired. I’mtooscaredtofallasleep.Youmust holdme.Youmustrockme.Donot leavemeallalone.Iamthirsty.Iam hungry.Iamtootiredtoputmytoys away.Donotbeangry.Donotstart singing.WhereisthebutterflyIdrew? I’mstillhungry.I’mstillplaying.Will youleaveme?Willyoustay?
KateBaercapturesparenthood’smostmaddening, hilarious,humblinghours—thosemomentswhen yourchildiscryingforyounottohelp and tohold themtighter at the same time.It’spoetrythatknows thetrenches—thewaysomelovelookslike exhaustion,likerepeatingyourself1,000times,like stayingevenwhenyou'renotsurehow
2. The Lanyard
byBillyCollins
TheotherdayIwasricochetingslowly offthebluewallsofthisroom, movingasifunderwaterfromtypewritertopiano, frombookshelftoanenvelopelyingonthefloor, whenIfoundmyselfintheLsectionofthedictionary wheremyeyesfelluponthewordlanyard.
NocookienibbledbyaFrenchnovelist couldsendoneintothepastmoresuddenly— apastwhereIsatataworkbenchatacamp byadeepAdirondacklake learninghowtobraidlongthinplasticstrips intoalanyard,agiftformymother.
Ihadneverseenanyoneusealanyard orwearone,ifthat’swhatyoudidwiththem, butthatdidnotkeepmefromcrossing strandoverstrandagainandagain untilIhadmadeaboxy redandwhitelanyardformymother.
Shegavemelifeandmilkfromherbreasts, andIgaveheralanyard. Shenursedmeinmanyasickroom, liftedspoonsofmedicinetomylips, laidcoldface-clothsonmyforehead, andthenledmeoutintotheairylight andtaughtmetowalkandswim, andI,inturn,presentedherwithalanyard. Herearethousandsofmeals,shesaid, andhereisclothingandagoodeducation. Andhereisyourlanyard,Ireplied, whichImadewithalittlehelpfromacounselor
Thispoemisachorusofcontradictions—thedaily negotiationsandemotionalweathersystemsofchildhood. It’sallhere:thesmalltyranniesofsnacktime,theemotional whiplashofbedtime,thedesperateneedforindependence thatcollapsesinstantlyintothedesperateneedforyou.
Hereisabreathingbodyandabeatingheart, stronglegs,bonesandteeth, andtwocleareyestoreadtheworld,shewhispered, andhere,Isaid,isthelanyardImadeatcamp.
Andhere,Iwishtosaytohernow, isasmallergift—nottheworntruth
thatyoucanneverrepayyourmother, buttheruefuladmissionthatwhenshetook thetwo-tonelanyardfrommyhand, Iwasassureasaboycouldbe thatthisuseless,worthlessthingIwove outofboredomwouldbeenoughtomakeuseven.
Ican’treadthisonewithoutlaughing—andthencryingbefore thenextlineends.
BillyCollins,withhissignaturewitandundercutofgrief,takes usthroughthatinevitablerealization: you can never repay your mother. Notwithlanyards.Notwithapoem.Notwithanything.
Youtry,ofcourse.Yougrowup,youbraidyourgratitudeinto smalltokens—plasticcrafts,burnttoastbreakfasts,longdistancecalls.Butsomewheredeepinside,youalwaysknow: shegaveyoutheuniverse,andallyouhaveisstring.
Thispoemisforanyonewho’severlookedbackatchildhood andwinced—atthecluelessofferings,thewell-meantefforts, theunspokenbeliefthatmaybe,justmaybe,thatmacaroni necklace was enough.Untilyouknowbetter.Andlovehereven moreforneverasking.
3. The Committee Weighs In
byAndreaCohen
Itellmymother I’vewontheNobelPrize.
Again?shesays.Which disciplinethistime?
It’salittlegame weplay:Ipretend
I’msomebody,she pretendssheisn’tdead.
Thispoemisforthoseofuswhohavelostamother—or anyonewelovedenoughtoinventfantasiesjusttoheartheir voiceagain.
It’sajoke.It’saprayer.It’salittlegamebetweenadaughter andaghost.ShewinsaNobel.Hermother,fromwherevershe is,raisesasardoniceyebrow— again?
Welaugh.Andthenweremember:thedead neverreallyleaveus.Notwhenwekeepinviting thembackinwithstories,withpoems,with pretendphonecallsaboutimaginaryprizes.
4. Mother, ACradle to Hold Me
byMayaAngelou
Itistrue
Iwascreatedinyou. Itisalsotrue
Thatyouwerecreatedforme. Iownedyourvoice. Itwasshapedandtunedtosootheme. Yourarmsweremolded Intoacradletoholdme,torockme. Thescentofyourbodywastheair Perfumedformetobreathe.
Mother,
Duringthoseearly,dearestdays Ididnotdreamthatyouhad Alargelifewhichincludedme, ForIhadalife Whichwasonlyyou.
Timepassedsteadilyanddrewusapart. Iwasunwilling. IfearedifIletyougo Youwouldleavemeeternally. Yousmiledatmyfears,saying Icouldnotstayinyourlapforever.
Thatonedayyouwouldhavetostand AndwherewouldIbe? Yousmiledagain. Ididnot.
Withoutwarningyouleftme, Butyoureturnedimmediately. Youleftagainandreturned, Iadmit,quickly,
Butreliefdidnotrestwithmeeasily Youleftagain,butagainreturned. Youleftagain,butagainreturned. Eachtimeyoureenteredmyworld Youbroughtassurance. SlowlyIgainedconfidence.
Youthoughtyouknowme, ButIdidknowyou,
Youthoughtyouwerewatchingme, ButIdidholdyousecurelyinmysight, Recordingeverymoment, Memorizingyoursmiles,tracingyourfrowns. Inyourabsence Irehearsedyou, Thewayyouhadofsinging Onabreeze, Whileasoblay Attherootofyoursong.
Thewayyouposedyourhead
Sothatthelightcouldcaressyourface
Whenyouputyourfingersonmyhand
Andyourhandonmyarm, Iwasblessedwithasenseofhealth, Ofstrengthandverygoodfortune.
Youwerealways theheartofhappinesstome, Bringingnougatsofglee, Sweetsofopenlaughter
Ilovedyouevenduringtheyears Whenyouknewnothing
AndIkneweverything,Ilovedyoustill. Condescendinglyofcourse, Frommyhighperch Ofteenagewisdom. Ispokesharplyofyou,often Becauseyouwereslowtounderstand. Igrewolderand Wasstunnedtofind Howmuchknowledgeyouhadgleaned. Andsoquickly
Mother,Ihavelearnedenoughnow
ToknowIhavelearnednearlynothing. Onthisday
Whenmothersarebeinghonored, Letmethankyou
Thatmyselfishness,ignorance,andmockery Didnotbringyouto Discardmelikeabrokendoll
Whichhadlostitsfavor
Ithankyouthat Youstillfindsomethinginme Tocherish,toadmireandtolove.
Thisone…thisoneisanocean.
MayaAngelou’stributetohermotherisasweeping,cinematic actofreverence—thekindthatspansfrominfancyto adulthoodandbackagain.It'sthestoryofthearmsthatrocked you,thevoicethatsoothedyou,thedisciplinethatshapedyou, andtheforgivenessthatlovedyouevenwhenyouwere unlovable.
Thepoemstretchesthroughtimelikeonlyamothercan:from thedayswhenshewasyourwholeworld,totheyearswhenyou thoughtyouknewbetter,tothemomentyoufinallyunderstood howmuchshetrulyknew
Ifyouhaveamother,hadamother,lostamother, became a mother—thispoemwillmeetyouwhereveryouare.
AFinalWordfromtheHeart
Readingthesepoems,Iwasremindedthat motherhood is a love letter constantly being revised. Thattomother—orbe mothered—istoliveinastateofconstantbecoming.Itis neverfinished.Neverperfect.Butalways,alwayssacred. Ifyourheartfeelstoofullrightnow,takeamoment.Letit swell.Letitache.That’swhatgoodpoemsdo—theyhold spaceforeverythingatonce.
Ithankyou,Mother Iloveyou.
and the Art of Strategic Influence Nakisha Adams
NakishaAdamscommandsattentionby operatingoutsideconvention.AsFounderand CEOofSkribble,sheleadsafirmdedicated toempoweringsmallnon-profitorganizations.Shedoes notmerelychasefunding;sheorchestratesstrategic maneuvers.Adamsunderstandsthattocarveaunique identity,onemustdisregardtraditionalboundaries. Shebelievesinseizingnewopportunitieswithan unorthodoxapproach,unburdenedbyfearofimmediate outcome.Sheviewssteppingbeyondone’scomfortzone notasarisk,butasaprerequisiteforascent.“Itiseasier tostepbackandcritiquethemistakesofthosewhoare navigatingoutsidethebox,”sheasserts.“Puttingyourself inapositionwhereyouattemptedsomething,knowing youmayfail,thatisasuccess.”Thisphilosophyforms thebedrockofherinfluence:acalculatedembraceof audaciousaction.
TheStrategicGenesis:AbandoningFalseSecurity
Adams’sascentbegannotinthenon-profitworld,but withinCorporateAmerica.Shepursuededucationwith relentlessfocus,earningaBBAfromtheUniversityof Wisconsin,andlateranMBAandaBachelorofScience inManagementfromCardinalStritchUniversity Heraptitudefornumbersledherintothefinance industry.Sheclimbeditsladder Yet,adeeperimpulse stirred:adesiretohelppeoplerise.Shefoundherself balancingacorporaterolewithherburgeoningpassion forassistingnon-profits.
Adecisionpointarrived.Sherecognizedshefaceda starkchoice.Hersignificantother,SeanRush,pushedher towardhertruecalling.Sheseveredtieswithher corporatejob.Shesteppedintotheunknownlandscapeof entrepreneurship.Thismovewasnotamereleapoffaith; itconstitutedadeliberateabandonmentofaperceived security,astrategicsheddingoflimitations.“Isawthat therewasaneed,”sheexplains,“notonlytheneedfor womeninthisindustrybutwomenofcolor.”
Sheunderstoodaspecificvoidexisted.“Tobeableto assistanindividualintellingtheirstoryisonething,” sheclarifies,“buttoassistanindividualintellingtheir story,becauseyouseeyourselfinit,isanother.”This recognitionofanunderservedmarket,andherpersonal connectiontoit,becameapowerfullever.Sheseized theopportunity.ShelaidSkribble’sfoundation. Sheleveragedheridentityasacompetitiveadvantage, forgingdeeperengagementwithhertargetclients.
TheUnseenHandofSkribble:Precisionin Persuasion
Skribblefunctionsasanon-profitconsultingcompany. Itprovidesstrategicplanning,grantwriting,andboard development.Adamsensuresherteammeets organizationsprecisely“wheretheyareat”andguides themdirectly“wheretheywanttobe.”Shetransforms theoften-mundanetaskofgrantwritingintoastrategic actofpersuasion.
“Mycontributiontoredefiningtheindustry,”shestates, “isworkingwithsmallernonprofitstoassistthemin theirgoalofbeingrecognizedbyfundersthattendto givetolargerknownorganizationsandtoassistthemin buildingbridges,whichallowsmorevisibilityforthe worktheyaredoing.”ThismissionpositionsSkribble asachampionfortheunderdog.Adamsempowers thesesmallerentitiestopenetrateacompetitive landscape.Sheunderstandsthataccesstofundingflows fromvisibilityandcompellingnarratives.Herfirm provides:fullproposalwriting,lettersofinquiry, proposalreview,prospectresearch,governancepolicy review,andgrantreporting.Theseservicesformthe toolsthroughwhichSkribbleexertsitsinfluence, ensuringthatworthymissionsgaintheresourcesthey require.ThevisionforSkribbleremainsclear:to deliverservicesthatempowerotherstochangetheir communities,allwhileinnovatinginhowthoseservices aredelivered.
ForgingtheInstrument:TheAlchemy ofChallengeandControl
Challenges,Adamsbelieves,forge strength.Overcomingthemallowsa leadertoreflectandrecognizepersonal transformation.Herentrepreneurial journeypresentedseveralhurdles. Shesacrificedfinancialstability. Sheconfrontedanewworldfilledwith unknownvariables.Shenavigatedthe unfamiliarconceptsofentrepreneurship. Shelearnedtomanagehertimeand masterkeybusinessprinciples.This periodwasnotchaos;itwasacrucible.
Sheemergedvictorious,shapedbyher determinationandrefusaltoyield.Her advicetorisingbusinesswomenspeaksto this:“Neverbeafraidtostepoutsidethe box.Therewillneverbethe‘perfector righttime’togoafteradream.Sometimes youjusthavetodoitandfigureitout whileyouareinit.”Thisrevealsaleader whotrustsherinstincts,whobelievesin decisiveaction,andwholearns continuouslythroughdirectengagement withtheunknown.Her“seekingwisdom fromothers”isnotasignofweakness,but astrategicleveragingofexternal expertise,awaytominimizepersonal chaosandmaximizecollective intelligence.
InnovationatSkribbleisnotchaotic experimentation;itrepresentsadirected process.Adamsbelievesin“harnessing thepowerofthelatesttechnologies.” Sheprovidescleardirection.Shegives “properspaceforallthepersonneltogrow individually.”This,shebelieves,creates “magic”andrendersateamunstoppable. Sheillustratesthisbystating,“Innovation isoneofthecorevaluesthatweasan organizationfocusonnurturingand cultivating.Wewereabletobringon COVIDtestinginjusttendaysduetothe spacewegivetoourteamstoinnovate andcreatesolutions.”Thiscontrolled autonomyallowsforrapidadaptationand strategicadvantage.
Founder and CEO
TheInnerSanctum:OrchestratingPurposeand Performance
AsCEO,Adams’responsibilitiesincludecreating andimplementinggrowthstrategies.Shebuildsand maintainstherightteam.SheensuresSkribble’s brandmaintainsacohesivemessageacrossall platforms.Shemanagesherdaywithprecision, prioritizingclientwork.Sheadjustsfutureevents withthesamedisciplinedapproach.Whenherteam worksonaproject,sheensuressingularfocus, eliminatingdistractions.Thisrigorousdiscipline maintainshighquality
Shekeepsherselfandherteammotivatedby returningtothecompany’scoremission. “Irememberandremindusofthe‘WHY,’”she states.“Whyarewedoingthis?Iamnotdoingthis forme,butfortheorganizationsthattrustSkribble withtheirmissions.”Thispowerfulmotivational levercentralizespurpose,unifyingeffortsand maintainingunwaveringquality.Itminimizes internalfriction,transformingindividualtasksinto collectivededication.Shecontinuouslyseeksto learn,surroundingherselfwithmentorswho“push andchallenge”her,ensuringshenevergrows“too comfortable.”Thisreflectsaleaderwhounderstands theconstantneedforself-refinement.Shealsopays backtothecommunity.Shespeakstoyoungwomen aboutherjourney,providingassistancesotheycan forgetheirownpathstothetop.
TheLongGame:BuildingaLegacyofInfluence
AdamsaimstoexpandSkribble’srootsinthe comingyears.“Iwanttocontinuetobuildclientele inotherstatesandcountries,”sheasserts.This interstateandinternationalexpansionrepresentsa strategicmovetobroadenhersphereofinfluence. Hervisionextendsbeyondimmediatebusiness gains.Sheplanstostartanon-profitfoundation specificallytoassistyoungwomenintheir entrepreneurialgoals.“Myvisionistocontinueto buildalegacy,”sheexpresses.“Iwanttoknowthat whenIamnolongerhere,Ihavecreatedandleft somethingformychildrenthatchangedthelivesof individualsinapositiveway.”Thiscommitment elevateshermissionbeyondmerecommerce. Itimbuesherworkwithatimelessquality,inspiring deepercommitmentfromherteamandsolidifying herinfluenceacrossgenerations.
TheBalanceofPower:PersonalDisciplineforProfessional Dominance
Whilefuelinghercompany’sgrowth,Adamsdedicatesample timetoherfamily.“IdesignatetimetoensureIdonotmissout onopportunitieswithmychildren,”shestates.BeforeSkribble, shehatedmissinggames,plays,andotherspecialmoments. Now,shemakessuresheattendsgames,picksupherchildren frompractices,andarriveshomewhentheyreturnfromschool. Thisdisciplinedcommitmenttoherpersonallifeisnota compromise;itisastrategicactofself-preservation.Itensures hermentalrenewalandsustainshercapacityforleadership, confirmingthatmasteryoverselfunderpinsprofessional dominance.
NakishaAdamsoperateswiththeprecisionofastrategist. Sheidentifiesoverlookedopportunities.Shecultivatesloyalty throughsharedpurpose.Shetransformschallengesintotools forgrowth.Shecommandsinfluencebyembodyingthevery changesheseekstocreate,onesmallnon-profit,onevital grant,onefutureleaderatatime.
SMART WOMEN LEADERS
Stay Visible Without Burning Out
You Don’t Have to Be Online to Be On Point
Let’sstarthere:Therealprosdon’tsprinteveryday.Theypacethemselveslikemarathonerswitha warplan.
That’ssomethingmostpeopledon’ttellwomenleadersbuildingapersonalbrand:Visibilitydoesn’t meanvolume.
Somewherebetweenthelatestwebinaron“consistency”andthesocialpostthatsays,“Justshowup daily,”manywomeninbusinessconfuse constant availability with strategic visibility.That confusionisexpensive.Itcostspeace.Itcostshealth.Itburnsoutyourcreativity.
Thegoodnews?Youdon’tneedtochoosebetweengrowthandyournervoussystem.
Youjustneedashield.
YouAretheBrand—ButYou’reAlsotheOperator
Therearetwoversionsofyou:
1.Theonethatshowsuponline.
2.Theonethatrunsthewholeoperationbehindthescenes.
Toomanywomenthinktheirbusinesswillstopiftheirfacedoesn’tappearoneverytimeline.But whenyou’rethestrategist,thecreativedirector,theCEO,andsometimestheassistant…it’snotjust okaytopause—it’sessential.
Let’sbeblunt:Youcan’tbuildabrandworthfollowingifyou’rerunningonfumes.
Thinkofitthisway.Ifyouarethelight,yourvisibilityistheswitch.Youcontrolit—notthe algorithm.Thegoalisnottobe seen allthetime.Thegoalistobe remembered whenitcounts.
AthenaDidn’tPostDaily
TheGreekgoddessAthenadidn’t marchintoeverywar.Shepickedher battles.Shecarriedashield,notjust todefend—buttosignalpower Presencewithoutchaos.
Youdon’tneedtoexplainyour silenceorjustifyyourbreak.If you’reinaseasonwheretheenergy’s low,that’sdata.Useit.Adjust.
Youcanstilllead,stillsell,still inspire—withoutlive-streamingyour entireemotionalcycle.
Infact,alotofpeopletrustyoumore whenyoushowrestraint.
ThePowerPause:AReset,Nota Retreat
There’ssomethingmost high-performingwomenavoid talkingabout:theoff-switch.
Nottheglamoroussabbaticalorthe post-hustleBalitrip.I’mtalking aboutaquietTuesdaywhereyou just…don’tshowup.Nopost.No launch.No“I’llbebacksoon”note.
Youjustpause. Strategically
Likeawomanwhoknowshervalue doesn’tdisappearwhenshelogsoff.
Youknowwhatthatdoes?Itbuilds intrigue.Itcommandsrespect.Andit makesspace—fornewideas,sharper offers,andbetterboundaries.
Don’tFeartheAlgorithm TrainIt
Let’sgetpractical.Youdon’thaveto abandonyourbrandtotakea breather Youjustneedtosetitup likeabusiness,notamoodboard.
Here’showtoprepfora“quietpowerseason”:
1.Batchyourbrilliance
Spendonefocusedmorningrecordingorwriting2–3pieces ofcontentthatreflectyourvalues,notjustyourvoice. Schedulethem.Letthemrunwhileyourest.
2.Pinyourpresence
Craftoneclearmessagethatlivesatthetopofyourprofiles. Alinethatsays:
“Operatingatfullclaritybehindthescenes.Staytuned.” That’snotgoingdark.That’sgoingdeep.
3.Defineyourred-linerituals
Chooseyournon-negotiables.Maybeit’samonthlyemail. Abi-weeklystory.Orjustavisualpostwithnocaption. Makeityour minimum visible dose.
4.Protectyourcreativeprimetime
Areyoumostfocusedat6amorafterdinner?Reserve thattimefornon-publicwork—offers,strategy,reading, thinking.Visibilitystartsintheshadows.
RedLipstickVisibility(andWhatItReallyMeans)
Somewomenuseloudbranding.Someuselogos.Someofus useredlipstick.
It’snotaboutthemakeup.It’saboutthemessage: “I’m here. But on my terms.”
Thattinysymbolofcontrolmatters.Itcanbeawalkatnoon. Apost-itnotethatsays“nomeetingstoday.”Ora3-week breakfromLinkedInwithoutfeelingguilty.
Yousettheterms.Nothustleculture.Notsome10-step contentfunnel.Anddefinitelynotthewomanyouadmirewho postseverydaybutsecretlywantstodisappearforaweek.
Visibility≠Access
Let’sclearthisup.Youdon’toweyouraudience 24/7energy.
Beingvisibledoesn’tmeanbeingaccessible. Beingtrustworthydoesn’tmeanbeingon-call. Beingaleaderdoesn’tmeanbeingloud.
Sometimes,thestrongestpersonalbrandistheonethatquietly says:
“I’mbuildingsomethingbiggerthanthismoment.”
That’swhatyourpausecansignal. Stability.Strategy.Self-leadership.
Here’sWhatI’mDoingThisSummer(FeelFree toStealIt)
Nograndexitpost.
No“here’swhyI’mtakingabreak”carousel. Justaquietplanthatkeepsmealigned and alive.
· I’mshowinguponceaweekwithvalue-ledcontentI createdweeksago.
· I’msayingnotoallreal-timespeakingunlessitdeeply energizesme.
· I’mschedulingdeepworkblockswherenoone—not evenmyteam—canreachme.
· I’mlettinginspirationarrivenaturally,notondeadline.
Andifagreatideahitsatthepool?I’lljotitdown. ButIwon’tstopswimming.
FinalWord:RestIsaStrategy
Mostpeopletreatrestlikeareward.Somethingyouearn afterburnout.
Smartwomenleaders—realpowerplayers—theytreat restlikeapillar.Somethingthat enables output,not delaysit.
Sono,you’renot“losingmomentum”bytakingafew weeksoffsocial.
You’rebuildingbrandintegrity You’reinvestinginyour long-game.
Andwhenyoureturn?Youwon’tjustbevisible.
You’llbeunstoppable.
OneActionStep(Don’tSkipThis)
Openyourcalendar
Picka10-daywindow.
Markit:“StrategicBrandRest.”
Prep2posts.Pin1brandmessage. Thenlogoff.
Leavethedooropenjustacrack.Lettheaudiencefeel yourpresencewithoutgettingaccesstoit.That’s influence.
Andifsomeonedoesn’tunderstand?
Theywereneveryouridealaudienceanyway
Nolie MacDonald
The
Architect of Digital Sanctuaries
NolieMacDonald
holdsavirtualrealityheadset inherhands,turningitovernotlikeapieceof hardware,butlikeakey.Inthequietofher office,thedeviceisinert,acompositeofplasticandglass. Yet,toMacDonald,itrepresentsadoorway.Shesees beyondtheobjecttothedigitalworldsitunlocks—worlds shebuildstomendminds.AsthefounderandChief ExecutiveOfficerofVRenity,shestandsataunique intersectionoftrauma,technology,andhealing.Herworkis notaboutcreatingescapesfromreality,butaboutcrafting newrealitiestobetterunderstandourown.
MacDonald’sjourneytothispointwasnotastraightline.It wasapathforgedthroughpersonaladversity,acareerpivot fromlawenforcementtothecorporatetechworld,anda profoundrealizationaboutthenatureofvulnerability.She nowleadsacompanythatbuildsimmersivetherapeutic experiences,amissionthatrequiredhertofirstnavigatethe fracturedlandscapesofherownpast.Thetoolsofhertrade arenowcode,AI,andvirtualspaces,butthefoundationof herworkremainsdeeplyhuman.Shedoesnotjustruna company;shearchitectssanctuariesforthemind.
AWound,AnIdea
ThestoryofVRenitybeginswithachildinahome fracturedbyaddiction.NolieMacDonald'searlyyearswere unstable,aseriesofcircumstancesnochildshouldface. StabilityarrivedwhentheMacDonaldfamilytookherin, providingthefoundationsheneeded.Yet,theechoesofher earlyliferemained.Yearslater,asanadult,sheconfronted thistrauma,aprocessthatwouldunexpectedlyplantthe seedforherlife’swork.
TheworldwasinthegripoftheCOVID-19pandemic whenMacDonaldfoundherselfinvirtualtherapy Separatedbyascreen,shediscoveredanewsenseofsafety.
Thedigitalspacecreatedauniqueformofintimacy,a bufferthatallowedhertobemoreopenandvulnerablethan shehadeverbeeninaface-to-facesession.Theexperience wasabreakthrough.Itwasmorethanjusthealing;itwasa revelation.Shesawthepotentialtoharnessthisdigital environment,tobuildsomethingmoreintentionaland immersivethatcouldhelpothersfindtheirownpathto healing.
ThissparkofanideabecameVRenity.MacDonald envisionedaplatformwherevirtualrealitywasnota gimmickbutacorecomponentoftherapy.Shesawaway tousetechnologytocreatecontrolled,sereneenvironments wherehealingcouldflourish.Thecompany’smission becameanextensionofherowntransformativeexperience: tomakementalhealthsupportmoreaccessibleand impactfulbyextendingthepoweroftherapyintothevirtual realm.
TheMachineryofHealing
VRenity’splatformrestsontwopillars:virtualrealityand artificialintelligence.Thecompanyengineersnature-based experiences,transportinguserstotranquildigitalsettings. Thesearenotsimplevideogameenvironments.Theyare multi-sensoryworlds,combiningcaptivatingvisualswith immersiveaudiotoevokeagenuinesenseofcalm.Within theseserenelandscapes,therapyunfolds.
Theplatformallowsformulti-playeravatars,enablinga therapistandapatienttomeetinasharedvirtualspace. Thisfeaturetranscendsthephysicallimitationsofa traditionalclinic.Itremovestheintimidationofaclinical settingandreplacesitwiththequietsolitudeofadigital forestorapeacefulvirtualshoreline.Thisfostersadifferent kindofconversation,onewheretheenvironmentitself encouragesopennessandemotionalexploration.
Beyondtheimmersivetherapysessions,VRenityintegrates aseriesofAI-poweredlifecoachingmodules.These programsfocusonpersonalgrowth,targetingareaslike emotionalintelligence,self-empowerment,andattachment theory.Naturallanguageprocessing(NLP),asophisticated formofAI,analyzesuserinteractionstodetectearlysigns ofburnout,acriticalissueinmodernworkplaces.
ThesystemthentranslatestheseinsightsintotailoredVR experiences.Anemployeeshowingsignsofstressmightbe guidedthroughameditativeexerciseoraneducational moduleonwell-being.ThisproactiveapproachusesAInot toreplacehumanconnection,buttoaugmentit,providing toolsforrejuvenationandfocusafterintenseperiodsof work.MacDonaldguidesthisintegration,ensuringthe technologyservestheperson,nottheotherwayaround.
FromtheBeattotheBoardroom
MacDonald’spathtotechentrepreneurshipwas unconventional.Aftercollege,sheenteredlaw enforcement,wheresheledtheCrimeAnalysisUnitforthe PortofSeattlePolice.Therolehonedheranalyticalskills, teachinghertofindpatternsinchaos.Thisinterestin analyticsbecameathroughlineinhercareer,evenasshe transitionedawayfromlawenforcement.
SheearnedherMBAandmovedintothetechsector, gravitatingtowardmarketing.Thefieldofferedaunique arenatomergeheranalyticalmindwithacreativeimpulse. Marketing,shefound,wasaspacewheredataand creativityintersected,aplacetosolvecomplexproblems throughinnovativecommunication.Thefastpaceofthe techindustryappealedtoher;itwasanenvironmentof constantlearningandadaptation.
Thistransitionwasmorethanacareerchange. Itrepresentedabroadeningofherperspectiveonhow technologycouldsolvehumanproblems.Shespearheaded amajordigitaltransformationataleadingITsolutions provider,implementingHubSpotandintegratingitwith Microsoft'ssalesplatformtoalignmarketingandsales efforts.Shealsoledaglobalrebrandingcampaignand oversawthedevelopmentofanInnovationCenter,a collaborativespaceforengineerstotestemerging technologies.Theseprojectswerehertrainingground. Theytaughtherhowtomanagecomplexsystems,drive innovationwithinlargeorganizations,andleveragedigital toolsforbusinessgrowth.Thisexperienceproved invaluable,preparinghertobuildherowncompanyfrom thegroundup.
ChartingaCourseintheVirtualWild
AsCEO,MacDonaldshapesVRenity’sculturearound innovationandadaptability.Inthenewandoftenundefined worldofvirtualreality,sheunderstandsthataforwardthinkingmindsetisaprerequisiteforsurvival.AtVRenity, innovationisnotjustaboutusingthelatesttechnology;itis aboutawillingnesstoapproachproblemsfromnewangles andtotakecalculatedrisks.
Thecompany’sbusinessmodelisatestamenttothisethos. VRenityoperatesonaB2B2Cmodel,placingits technologydirectlyonsiteatlocationslikeassistedliving communities,veteransassociations,andprivatemedical practices.Thesededicated“VRenityRooms”allow residentsandpatientstoconnectinsharedvirtual experiences,combatingsocialisolationandsupporting mentalwellness.
Thestrategicfocusonthebabyboomerdemographicisa boldmove.Itdeviatesfromtheyouth-focusedmarketsthat mostVRcompaniestarget.Thisdecisionwasacalculated risk,onethatunderscoresVRenity’scommitmenttoserving overlookedpopulationswithsignificantneeds.Asthe companypreparesforbetatestinginWashingtonState,its abilitytolistentofeedbackandadapttomarketdynamics willbecrucial.IntherapidlyshiftingVRlandscape, MacDonaldknowsthatflexibilityisparamounttosuccess.
TheResponsibilityofaBuilder
MacDonald’sinfluenceextendsbeyondhercompany.She hasbecomeavoiceinthelargerconversationabout artificialintelligence.Throughpublicspeaking engagementsatinstitutionsliketheLGNOVAInnovation FestivalandtheFredHutchCancerCenter,sheoffers insightsonhowbusinessescanuseAItoolstoscaletheir operations.
Shedoesnot,however,ignorethepotentialdangersofthe technology.MacDonaldspeaksplainlyabouttheperilsof AI,fromjobdisplacementtothechallengeof distinguishingbetweenauthenticandAI-generatedcontent. Shehighlightshoweasilythesetoolscanbeusedtocreate andspreadmisinformation,posingasignificantriskto publicdiscourse.
Sheadvocatesforresponsibleinnovation.MacDonald arguesforclearwatermarkingonAI-generatedcontent,a simplemeasuretopromotetransparencyandhelpthepublic makeinformedjudgments.
Shealsocallsforlegislationthatplaces stricterregulationsoncontentcreatorsto curbthespreadoffalsenarratives.Her positionisclear:thepeoplewhobuild thesepowerfultechnologieshavea responsibilitytoconsidertheirethical implicationsandtoadvocatefor safeguardsthatprotectsociety.
LeadershipThroughVulnerability
AtVRenity,acharismaticmascotnamed Nerdleembodiesthecompanymotto: “Embraceyourinnernerd.”Thephrase isareflectionofMacDonald's leadershipphilosophy.Shebelieves leadershipcomesintwoforms:through fearorthroughinspiration.Shechooses inspiration.
Centraltoherapproachistheideathat vulnerability,uncertainty,andfailureare notweaknesses.Theyareopportunities forgrowth.Shefostersanenvironment whereherteamfeelssafeenoughto expressdoubtandtoviewchallengesas learningexperiences.Thisdismantles thefearoffailureandbuildsaresilient culture.
MacDonaldisacutelyawareofherown strengthsandweaknesses.Shebuilds herteamstrategically,seekingout individualswhoseskillscomplementher ownandfillcriticalgaps.Theresultisa well-roundedanddynamicteam, capableofnavigatingobstaclesand drivingthecompany'smissionforward. Shebelievesthatleadingthrough inspirationmeansprovidingthesupport andresourcesforbothpersonaland professionalgrowth.Bydoingso,she ensuresthateveryteammemberfeels valued,empowered,andmotivatedto contributetheirbestwork.This approachnotonlyachievesbusiness objectivesbutalsobuildsaworkplace wherepeoplecanthrive.Itishowshe continuestobuildsanctuaries,notjust forherusers,butforherownteamas well.
IN THE HEART OF THE STORM
Two Sudanese Doctors, One Unbreakable Spirit
Inaworldoftenoverwhelmedbynoiseand
indifference,storieslikethesesingwithtruth.
April2025markstwoyearssinceSudan,anationonce brimmingwithresilience,wasthrustintoaprolonged anddevastatingwar.Over12.6millionpeoplehavebeen displaced.Theairstillechoeswithloss,andthesilence ofabsentvoiceshangsheavy.Butwithinthatsilence, therearethosewhochoosetospeak,toact,andtocare.
Dr.AsmaElnaeemandDr.HibaAhmedaretwosuch voices—unyieldingandradiantinthemidstof unimaginablechaos.
ANationinRuins,aSystemCollapsed Sudan’shealthcareinfrastructureliesbroken.Clinics looted.Hospitalsburned.Doctorsandnursesscatteredor silenced.InNorthKordofanalone,theneedis overwhelming.AccordingtotheUnitedNations,
over30millionpeoplerequirehumanitarianassistance, andsexualandgender-basedviolence(SGBV)is escalatingatanalarmingrate.
Inthislandscapeofcollapse,twowomen—armedwith compassionandconviction—arebuildingsanctuariesof healing.
Dr.Asma:AMother,AMartyrofGrace
ForDr Asma,thewardidn’tjusttakeacountry.Ittookher child.
In2023,shewassevenmonthspregnantwhenviolence torethroughherhometownofGeneina.Sheandherfamily hadnotransport,norefuge—onlyadonkeycartandthe willtosurvive.The25-dayjourneyendedinheartbreak. Withoutmedicalaid,shemiscarried.Butevenamidsther personalloss,Asmachosetorise.
SheacceptedanofferfromtheSudanFamilyPlanning Association(SFPA)toestablishahealthfacilityinthe BlueNileState.Herfamily,nowrelocatedtoEgyptfor safety,remainsphysicallydistant.YetAsma remains—anchoredbyduty,treatingsurvivorsofsexual violence,offeringpost-abortioncare,deliveringdignitykits andcleandeliverysuppliestowomenwhohavenothing.
"One woman lost her baby during the early days of the conflict. She bled in silence, sitting over a hole she dug in her yard, waiting for help that never came. By the time I reached her, it was too late.”
Asthma’svoicedoesn’tquiver.Itholdsthestrengthof everywomanshehasevertreated.
Dr.Hiba:CarryingtheInvisibleLoad
Meanwhile,inthebackground—butneveroutof reach—worksDr.HibaAhmed,the53-year-oldDirector ofEmergencyandHumanitarianInterventionsatSFPA. Herstrengthliesincoordination,inadvocacy,institching togetheratornsystemwiththreadsofwill.
Whenwarerupted,HibafledKhartoumwithherchildren. TheyfoundtemporaryrefugeinEgypt.Thetransitioncame withaprice—educationinterrupted,futuresuncertain.Asa widow,theweightwasheavier.Butshecontinued,ensuring thatmobileclinicsreachedrefugeecamps,thatmidwivesin warzonesreceivedtraining,andthathealthcentersacross 14statescouldofferatleastsomesemblanceofcare.
“We are the only clinic supporting HIV patients in the Umrakuba and Tunaydbah camps. Over 750 people rely on us. But budget cuts are forcing us to close doors we never wanted to shut.”
Herstoryisnotjustaboutlogistics.It'saboutlove—forher country,forherpeople,forthedignityeveryhumanbeing deserves,nomatterhowfragiletheircircumstance.
Hope,HeldTogetherbyWomen
Despitedestructionanddisplacement,SFPA—withthe unwaveringdedicationofprofessionalslikeAsmaand Hiba—continuestoprovide:
· Primaryhealthcareandreproductiveservicesacross 15branchesin14states
· Emergencycontraceptionandpost-abortioncare
· Psychologicalsupportforrapesurvivors
· HIVcounselingandcare
· Mobileclinicsforinternallydisplacedpersons
· Awarenesssessionsongender-basedviolence
Andallofthisisdonewithdwindlingfunds,destroyed facilities,andaworldthathaslargelyturneditseyes elsewhere.
ACalltoPresence,ACalltoWitness
InSudan,warhasstolentoomuch—butithasnot stolenthewilltoheal.
AsmaandHibaarenotjustdoctors.Theyarelifelines. Theyarewhatresiliencelookslikewhenwrappedin maternalgrief,inprofessionalexhaustion,andin sacredcourage.
Theworldmayseenumbers:30millioninneed.8.6 milliondisplaced.3.8millionforcedacrossborders. Butbehindthosenumbersarenames,faces,andstories thatdemandtobeheldwithreverence.
Andifwe,theglobalcommunity,canmeettheir couragewithevenafractionofourown—through awareness,advocacy,andaction—perhapsSudan's nextchapterwillbeoneofrestoration.
Becausegraceisnotafeeling.It’swhatyoudoin thefire.
Architecting the Digital Factory into the Future of Automation
theageofIndustry4.0,wherethelines betweenthephysicalanddigitalrealms blur,andwhereautomationisnotjustan aspirationbutanecessity,theroleofthe ChiefInformationOfficerinindustrial giantshasbecomeparamount.Theseare notjusttechnologyleaders;theyarearchitectsofthedigital factory,navigatorsofcomplextransformations,and strategistswhofusetechnologicalinnovationwiththe tangiblerealitiesofmanufacturingandindustrialprocesses.
ShannonGath,ChiefInformationOfficeratTeradyne, standsasaprimeexampleofthisnewbreedofCIO–a leaderwhoisnotonlysteeringTeradyne'sITstrategybutis fundamentallyshapingitsfutureinthelandscapeof automation.
Teradyne,anamesynonymouswithcutting-edge automationequipmentforsemiconductor,automotive,and electronicsindustries,operatesinaworldwhere technologicalprecisionisparamount.AsCIO,Shannonisat thehelmofthedigitalinfrastructurethatunderpins Teradyne’sglobaloperationsandinnovationengine.
HerroletranscendstraditionalITmanagement;sheisa linchpininTeradyne’sabilitytodeliveradvanced automationsolutions,enhanceoperationalefficiency,and maintainacompetitiveedgeinarapidlyevolvingindustrial landscape.Inacompanywheretechnologyistheproduct, theCIO’sofficebecomesanervecenterforinnovationand strategicdirection.
ButwhatdoesitmeantobetheCIOofaglobalautomation leaderlikeTeradyne?Howdoesoneorchestratethedigital transformationofacompanythatitselfprovidesthetools fordigitaltransformationtootherindustries?Shannon’s responsibilitiesaremultifaceted,demandingauniqueblend oftechnicaldepth,businessacumen,andvisionary leadership.
BuildingtheDigitalNervousSystemofAutomation
Imagineavast,interconnectedfactoryfloor,notjustof machinesandassemblylines,butalsoofdatastreams, intelligentsystems,andcyber-physicalintegrations. ThisisthedomainShannonoversees.AsCIO,sheis essentiallyresponsibleforconstructingandmaintaining thedigitalnervoussystemofTeradyne,ensuringa seamlessflowofinformation,robustcybersecurity,and technologicalagilityacrosstheorganization.
Hersphereofinfluencelikelyencompassesseveralkey areas:
1.CraftingandExecutingITStrategy:Gathisnot justreactingtotechnologicaltrends;sheisproactively shapingTeradyne’sITstrategytoalignwithits overarchingbusinessobjectives.
Thisinvolvesanticipatingfuturetechnologicalshiftsin automation,manufacturing,andrelatedindustries,and ensuringTeradyne’sITroadmapsupportsitsinnovation pipelineandmarketleadership.Thisstrategicforesight iscriticalinasectorwheretechnologicaladvantageisa keydifferentiator
2.OrchestratingDigitalTransformationInitiatives: Digitaltransformationinindustrialsettingsisnota simplesoftwareupgrade;it’sadeeporganizationalshift thatimpactseveryfacetofoperations.
Shannonlikelyleadsandchampionsthese transformativeinitiativesatTeradyne,drivingthe adoptionofnewtechnologieslikecloudcomputing, IoT,AI/ML,andadvanceddataanalyticsacrossthe company’svaluechain.Thisinvolvesnotonly technologyimplementationbutalsochange managementandculturalevolutionwithinthe organization.
Chief Information Officer | Teradyne
3.FortifyingCybersecurityinaConnectedWorld:Inaneraof increasingcyberthreatsandinterconnectedindustrialsystems, cybersecurityforacompanylikeTeradyneisnotjustanITconcern, butabusinessimperative.
AsCIO,ShannonGathisonthefrontlinesofprotectingTeradyne’s digitalassets,intellectualproperty,andoperationalintegrity This requiresacomprehensivecybersecuritystrategy,robustdefenses, andaproactiveapproachtothreatdetectionandmitigationina landscapeofever-evolvingcyberrisks.
4.OptimizingITInfrastructureandOperations:Thereliableand efficientoperationofTeradyne’sglobalITinfrastructureis foundational.ShannonoverseesthemanagementofcomplexIT systems,networks,anddatacentersthatsupportTeradyne’sglobal operations,R&D,andcustomerinteractions.
Thisincludesensuringhighavailability, performance,andscalabilityofIT resources,whilealsodrivingefficiencyand cost-effectivenessinIToperations.
5.LeveragingDataforBusiness IntelligenceandInnovation:Intheageof data-drivendecision-making,aCIO’srole extendstoharnessingthepowerofdatato unlockbusinessinsightsandfuel innovation.
Shannonislikelyinstrumentalin developingdatastrategies,implementing dataanalyticsplatforms,andfosteringa data-drivenculturewithinTeradyne.This involvesextractingvaluefromvast datasetsgeneratedacrossTeradyne’s operationsandproductlifecyclestoinform strategicdecisions,optimizeprocesses,and driveproductinnovation.
6.FosteringIT-BusinessAlignment:The mosteffectiveCIOsarethosewhobridge thegapbetweentechnologyandbusiness strategy.Shannon’srolenecessitatesclose collaborationwithvariousbusinessunits withinTeradyne,ensuringthatIT initiativesaredirectlyalignedwith businessneedsandpriorities.
Thisrequiresstrongcommunication, stakeholdermanagement,andadeep understandingofTeradyne’sbusiness objectivesacrossitsdiverseproductlines andmarkets.
ACareerPathForgedinTechnology Leadership
Whilespecificbiographicaldetailsmaybe limitedinthepublicdomain,Shannon Gath’sprofessionaltrajectoryundoubtedly reflectsadeepandprogressiveengagement withthetechnologysector,particularlyin leadershiproles.HerpathtoCIOat Teradynelikelyinvolvedaseriesof increasinglyresponsiblepositionsinIT management,possiblywithinindustrial technologycompaniesorsectors undergoingdigitaltransformation.
Hereducationalfoundationislikelyrootedincomputer science,informationsystems,engineering,orarelated field.Beyondformaleducation,hercareerprogression signalscontinuouslearningandadaptation,keepingpace withtherelentlessevolutionoftechnologyandits applicationinindustrialcontexts.
SkillsforLeadingattheIntersectionofITand Industry
ToexcelasCIOofTeradyne,ShannonGathlikely possessesapowerfulcombinationofskills:
●StrategicITLeadership:Theabilitytoformulateand executeITstrategiesthataretightlyalignedwith businessgoalsandanticipatefuturetechnological disruptionsintheindustrialsector.
●DigitalTransformationExpertise:Deep understandingofdigitaltransformationprinciples, methodologies,andtechnologies,andproven experienceinleadingsuccessfultransformation initiativesincomplexorganizations.
●CybersecurityAcumen:Astronggraspof cybersecuritythreats,bestpractices,andtechnologies, particularlyinthecontextofindustrialcontrol systemsandinterconnectedmanufacturing environments.
●ITInfrastructureandOperationsManagement: ExpertiseinmanagingcomplexglobalIT infrastructures,ensuringoperationalexcellence,and drivingefficiencyinITservicedelivery.
●DataAnalyticsandBusinessIntelligenceStrategy: Theabilitytodevelopandimplementdatastrategies thatunlockbusinessvalue,drivedata-drivendecisionmaking,andfosteradata-centricculture.
●BusinessAcumenandIndustryUnderstanding:A deepunderstandingoftheindustrialautomation sector,Teradyne’sbusinessmodel,andthe competitivelandscapetoensureITstrategiesare relevantandimpactful.
●LeadershipandCommunication:Exceptional leadershipskillstoguidelargeITorganizations, inspireteams,andeffectivelycommunicatecomplex technologicalconceptstodiverseaudiences,including non-technicalstakeholders.
ShapingTeradyne’sFutureThroughDigital Innovation
ShannonGath’sleadershipasCIOisinstrumentalin Teradyne’songoingsuccessandfuturetrajectory. By architectingarobustandforward-lookingITstrategy, sheempowersTeradyneto:
●DriveInnovationinAutomationTechnology: AstrongITinfrastructureandacultureofdigital innovationenableTeradynetostayatthe forefrontofautomationtechnology,developing cutting-edgesolutionsforitscustomers.
●EnhanceOperationalEfficiencyandAgility: DigitaltransformationinitiativesledbytheCIO drivegreateroperationalefficiency,optimize manufacturingprocesses,andenhance Teradyne'sagilityinrespondingtomarket demands.
●StrengthenCustomerRelationshipsand ServiceDelivery:Technologyplaysavitalrole inenhancingcustomerinteractions,providing digitalservices,andstrengtheningcustomer relationshipsintheindustrialsector.
●MaintainaCompetitiveEdge:Inthefiercely competitiveautomationmarket,technological leadershipisparamount.ShannonGath’srole ensuresTeradyneleveragestechnology strategicallytomaintainandexpandits competitiveadvantage.
NavigatingtheDigitalIndustrialRevolution
ShannonGathisnotjustmanagingITatTeradyne; sheisactivelyshapingitsdigitalfutureand,by extension,contributingtothebroaderevolutionof industrialautomation.Asindustriesworldwide embracedigitaltransformation,theroleoftheCIOin companieslikeTeradynebecomesevermorecentral.
GathstandsasatestamenttotheevolvingroleofIT leadership–arolethatisincreasinglystrategic, deeplyintegratedwithbusinessstrategy,and fundamentallyshapingthelandscapeofmodern industry.Herworkisapowerfuldemonstrationof howtechnologyleadershipdrivesprogressinthe tangibleworldofmanufacturingandautomation, buildingthedigitalfactoriesoftomorrow,today
