Smart Women in Meetings: Legacy Leaders

Shelley Brown

Cultivate a Sense of Belonging to Yourself

Belonging is the through line for everything, but not just the importance of feeling you belong to a group. It is also taking the time to believe that you belong to yourself—to own your dreams, goals and actions bravely and authentically. Similarly, legacy leadership is not how you want to be seen, but what you are doing to help the next generation of leaders, so they don’t have to keep revisiting the ways we have perpetuated bad leadership. When we are intentional about how we show up at the party for others, rather than repeating the toxic traits that have been modeled for us, we can be part of the solution. That is how we give it forward.

Being a rebel leader is all about leading like you mean it—with integrity, authenticity and in service of others. Once you have climbed the ladder, it’s time to help put the oxygen mask on those who are following in your footsteps. It is our responsibility to help people feel seen, heard and known, because that’s the most important gift you can give others.

Rebel in a gown is not a dress code. It’s a mindset. It is not being soft or hard. It is about being whole. And it’s a practice to ensure we are leading with our values. People are watching us, and it matters.

Shelley Brown is an author, artist and keynote speaker.

Amelia Rose Earhart

A Lifelong Journey of Exploration

After learning unexpected information about my genealogical connection to famed aviator Amelia Earhart, I had to come to terms with a whole new identity—one that wasn’t neatly tied up with a bow. Learning to embrace and celebrate this complicated part of my story is what has made me the woman I am today—one who knows that life and our progress aren’t linear, and sometimes they even get stuck in a holding pattern. Sharing these stories of challenge with pride gives others the permission to do the same.

Since flying around the world, my biggest takeaway has been that life is a lot more fun when we can learn to love the turbulence. While it may be scary in the moment, with practice, we can learn to understand why the bumps are there and how to avoid them in the future. Deep learning rarely happens in perfect environments, and the challenges directly correlate to our growth.

The best life stories are truly complex, filled with twists and turns, unlikely friendships, connections made in difficult times and the detours that forced us to take a path we didn’t originally plan for. These are opportunities to forge a truly unique path—one that no one will confuse for anyone else’s.

Be flexible, be bold and be curious about reaching your goal in ways you’ve never seen done before…with this mindset, your legacy is sure to be one of authentic and earnest exploration along your lifelong journey.

Amelia Rose Earhart is a pilot, author and keynote speaker.

Lisa Kaszubski

An Act of Collective Bravery

As women leaders, we face countless moments when the world tells us who we should be, how to act, what to pursue and what success should look like. In each of those moments, we are given a choice: Conform to someone else’s version of who we are, or tune out the noise and turn inward. True success that is lasting and fulfilling can only come from within. No one else knows what excites you, makes you feel most alive or what feels meaningful in your heart. That’s why we must learn to trust ourselves. To trust our instincts, our voice and our truth.

Showing up as your full, authentic self in every room you walk into is an act of bravery; it’s how you create a legacy that honors your own voice, values and vision. When you lead with courage and authenticity, you inspire other women to do the same. You remind them that their voice matters, that their truth is enough and that their legacy can be powerful, simply because it’s their own. I hope to leave behind a legacy of bravery, hope and love—one that reminds others that staying true to yourself is the most courageous path you can walk. I want others to be inspired to not just endure life’s challenges, but embrace them as stepping stones to growth and deeper purpose.

I want to show that fulfillment doesn’t come from fitting in, but from showing up as yourself, especially when it’s hard. That authenticity isn’t just an act of self-love, but a gift to others. That when you live as unapologetically yourself, you can more clearly see what ignites your soul and pursue a life of meaning.

Lisa Kaszubski, MCLC, CMP, is founder and president of Sister, We Hear You and a Smart Woman winner.

Sherron Washington

Simply Communicate

Legacy, to me, isn’t about what people say when you’re gone—it’s about the transformation they carry because you were here. My leadership legacy is rooted in helping others see themselves clearly and show up unapologetically. Whether I’m teaching a class, speaking on stage or building strategy behind the scenes, I want to leave behind more than results—I want to leave ripple effects.

I don’t want to be remembered just for what I built, but for how I helped others build themselves. My legacy lives in every woman who no longer shrinks. In every professional who decides to lead differently. And in every bold voice I helped amplify.Leadership isn’t about position—it’s about impact. And mine will always be measured in people, progress and permission to be powerful.

Sherron Washington, M.A., is a dynamic force in the world of marketing and communication with over two decades of experience. She is the founder and CEO of The P3 Solution, a training and curriculum development firm and international speaker, trainer, facilitator and professor.

Naomi Clare

Belonging for Good

Belonging is a fundamental human need that serves as a gateway to reaching our full potential. In recent years, the concept of belonging has gained renewed importance for business as a key factor in driving employee engagement, productivity and overall success. As companies navigate post-pandemic challenges, including decreased productivity, widespread loneliness and difficulties in reintegrating employees into physical offices, business has identified belonging as a key to answering these challenges—and to unlocking serious growth in engagement and the bottom line.

I define legacy through an educator’s lens. There’s nothing quite like seeing your students grow in their confidence and creativity as they move an idea towards realization. Being a part of another’s journey of growth is a privilege and it’s a similar feeling that I get when I’m supporting clients to do something new and innovative or team members to figure out how their unique gifts can contribute to building experiences together.

That’s what I hope for with legacy, that even once I’ve moved on, my presence positively impacted others, supported their journey of growth. Through empowering others with empathy tools, I hope to foster a movement of creators equally dedicated to the work of making the world a kinder, more caring and joyful place.

Naomi Clare is founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab. She specializes in refining big ideas and concepts into meaningful and measurable experiences.