The Humor (and Heartbreak) of It All
Some days, I have to laugh.
One woman told me her manager said she wasn’t quite ready for a senior role—because her communication style “lacked polish.” As if impact only counts when it’s accompanied by a flourish.
Another woman was praised in public and undermined in private. “You’re indispensable,” her boss said, as he offered the promotion to someone else. When she asked why, the answer? “You’re just so good at what you do, we can’t afford to lose you.” Translation: stay in your lane. These aren’t rare exceptions. According to McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace report, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 87 women are promoted. For women of color, the number drops to 73. And once women reach leadership, the pressures are even greater. They are more likely to be judged harshly, more likely to be "onlys" in the room, and far more likely to burn out.
Women Who Rise was born to disrupt that pattern. It’s a community. A crucible. A place where women are seen, strengthened, and supported to lead from the inside out.
A Dancer’s Legacy
My roots as a performer never left me. In fact, they gave me a unique lens on leadership.
Dance taught me to feel the ground under my feet, even when the world was spinning. It taught me that presence—not posture—is what commands a room. And it taught me that rhythm matters. Leadership, like choreography, requires knowing when to step forward and when to yield. When to go full out, and when to rest.
Page 64
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker