Kim Kross has taught English in 26 countries. But it was during a visit to India that in a candid moment, Kim laid everything out on the table for her colleagues: her expectations, her experiences, her own blind spots. She created space for her team members, many from different cultural backgrounds, to do the same. That moment of shared vulnerability became Kim’s foundation for trust, empathy, and growth. Kim’s story is one of many featured in our new course: Women of Power curated by the Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA). This exclusive series brings together C-suite leaders and public-sector trailblazers to share the career-defining lessons, stories, and mindset shifts that helped them rise and bring others along. In the course, you can learn how to: - Build inclusive teams rooted in trust - Lead through change with empathy and clarity - Navigate career transitions and imposter syndrome - Cultivate a culture of recognition, honesty, and purpose Here’s the link to learn more: (fb)

Elisa-Bannon Jones has spent her academic and professional career exploring what it takes for women to rise to the highest levels of leadership in America, including the presidency. This month, we’re honored to spotlight EWA Elisa Bannon Jones, a dynamic business executive with over 20 years of leadership experience spanning retail, automotive, technology, and health and wellness. Elisa has led strategic and HR functions at some of the largest Fortune 500 companies, both publicly traded and private equity-backed, and brings a rare blend of insight, integrity, and impact. Her new book, The American Character: Women Overcoming Bias to Become President of the United States, draws from her graduate research in American culture. At the heart of her book’s message are four cultural themes: ladies, babies, money, and honey. These ideals have shaped the societal expectations of women and remain alive in both politics and the workplace. Change, she argues, starts with recognizing these biases and then fostering leadership through self-awareness, experience, and mentorship. Writing this book has also been a personal journey for Elisa. She shares how her own upbringing, from being called a "women’s libber" in the ’70s to having a father who later championed her ambition, helped shape her fearless drive. Her story is a reminder not to take progress for granted, and to keep showing up, pushing forward, and preparing the next generation of leaders. Her work challenges us to think about what it will take to finally see a woman become President of the United States. Read more about Elisa here: https://www.fastcompany.com/91200165/gender-dynamics-affects-politics-and-business-leadership (fb)