What inspired your journey as a founder and leader in this space?

I've always been fascinated with the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve when we come together for a cause. The journey began in 2007, when we realized that equal pay was widely acknowledged as an issue yet concrete action was lacking. In fact, there hadn't been an equal pay rally in New York City or State at that time. We held our first rally – it was a handful of women, all dressed in red, at the steps of City Hall. That moment sparked a movement around equal pay in New York. Over time, we understood that advocating for women's economic security involves addressing interconnected issues like child care, safety, reproductive rights as well. We adopted a more holistic vision of change, aiming to unify these siloed issues for a larger agenda. That's how the shift from a singular equal pay campaign to something much broader began. And that’s how PowHer started.

As a woman, what does leadership mean to you? How would you describe your leadership style and approach?

For me, leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room; it's about fostering an environment where everyone can contribute, build trust, and support each other. My approach is about pushing the collective forward, not highlighting myself. It's a leadership style that perhaps deviates from the traditional, often male style of leadership. I focus on uplifting others, recognizing that the success of our cause depends on collective action rather than individual recognition. This philosophy is embedded in my efforts to bring people together to tackle issues together, even if it means setting aside personal ego for the greater good.

What piece of advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to leadership roles?

My advice is to explore widely and deeply. Try on different hats, see what you look good in, what you feel good in, what feels right to you. You don't necessarily know until you try different experiences, different skills, and different models of work. I think by doing this, you grow and find what you deeply care about, and then you follow that path with dedication. But remember, change is slow, difficult, and often against formidable forces. It's crucial to be patient, to recognize the small victories, and to persist despite the challenges. Patience and persistence is key to achieving long-term, meaningful change.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to achieve through your work with your organization?

I hope that PowHer can continue to grow and become this collective voice and force that’s needed now more than ever. We want to drastically change society so that we can have a world that respects the rights and needs of all, especially the most vulnerable members. It's a tall order, but I think we have the ability to be heard as long as we take action together. We need to leverage our majority as women, to come together in a way that commands attention and action. Because unless we create this collective force, we are always going to be surviving on scraps.