In this moment of uncertainty and rapid change across the public sector, I’ve found myself paying closer attention to the kinds of leaders who make a difference within their organizations in ways that have a ripple effect externally. The leaders that stand out most are navigating uncertainty with a focused, strategic lens, and deep care for the people their programs serve.

During a recent visit to Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington (PPMW), I was especially struck by Dr. Laura Meyers’ leadership. Laura brings a clear vision and actively applies the PP values every day. She is nimble in response to shifts in policy and funding, and an advocate for the role of healthcare in addressing unmet needs for critical populations. Laura consistently challenges her team to stay close to what clients need and want, elevating their voices at every stage of decision-making and using client and clinician input to level up care. Talking with her was a powerful reminder that leading in this moment requires relentless focus on internal excellence, while never losing sight of the people behind the work.

I’ve also been deeply inspired by Mashana Smith at the Center for Childhood Resilience while working on the Resilience Supportive Schools Initiative (RSSI). Mashana is a true connector – she values the inclusion of partners across the state and lifts up expertise beyond her training to make the program better. Her commitment to sustainability for RSSI is unwavering; she hasn’t just focused on making the program work for today, but actively advocates to align the program with statewide initiatives in Illinois to grow and last. Watching her leadership every day and external advocacy efforts has been eye-opening as I build my career. She’s taught me that leadership is about building shared ownership, aligning with broader systems, and knowing when to step up and when to step back to center other voices. 

My role as an analyst is to support leaders by getting critical data into their hands that can guide decisions during early-stage initiatives like RSSI. When used at a regular cadence, data is the tool to help teams see where they’re making a difference and where they need to shift. The best leaders pair that information with the courage to make hard decisions.Early in my career, it’s been invaluable to witness up close how seasoned leaders elevate their teams and sharpen their strategies without losing sight of core mission and values. 

I’ve been inspired by these two women to grow into a leader who brings a clear sense of purpose, a willingness to adapt, and a deep respect for the people at the center of the work. There’s so much to learn from women like Laura and Mashana and I’m committed to carrying that learning forward at this pivotal moment in time.