My Journey To Authentic Leadership

For much of my life, I was on a quiet journey to figure out where I belonged—not just in the world, but within myself. Raised in a beautifully complex, multicultural family, I experienced the richness of diversity from the dinner table to the backyard sweat lodges my father built with a shaman. Still, there were times I longed to blend in, to be “normal,” unaware that these very experiences would become the compass guiding me toward something far more valuable: authentic leadership. It took years of self-reflection, stumbles, and the occasional sarcastic reply in the face of bias for me to understand that leading from the heart—vulnerably and imperfectly—is not a weakness, but a strength.

As I moved through different seasons of life—professionally and personally—I began to see how authenticity was the thread that held everything together. Whether I was managing teams, navigating bias, or learning to speak up in spaces where my voice felt small, I found that the most meaningful leadership moments came not from titles or achievements, but from showing up as my whole self. With every challenge, I learned that authenticity creates safety, fosters trust, and empowers others to do the same.

Sharing my story—sometimes clumsily, sometimes courageously—has led to powerful conversations with friends, clients, and colleagues who all, in their own way, are searching for the same thing: a way to lead that feels real. These exchanges reminded me that I’m not alone—and neither are you. Our imperfections, our mess-ups, our moments of doubt—they’re not liabilities. They’re what make us human, and therefore, what make us capable of truly leading.

That’s what inspired me to write a book. Not to present myself as an expert, but to offer stories, reflections, and lessons from my own lived experience. My hope is that it invites others to reflect on their own leadership journey and sparks the courage to lead with authenticity.

If you’re wondering how to step into authentic leadership, start here:

1. Embrace vulnerability – Let go of perfection and lead with honesty.

2. Know your values – Get clear on what matters to you and lead from that place.

3. Listen deeply – Make space for others to be seen and heard, not just managed.

4. Reflect often – Your leadership journey is always evolving—pause, learn, and grow from it.

Authentic leadership isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being fully you. And that, more than anything, is what the world needs.

Order your copy of my NEW book Finding My Place to learn your journey to authentic leadership!