Global Chief Equity Officer, Randstad
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I was ever given was: “Don’t beg for a seat at the table. Walk in and sit at the table because you belong there. And if there isn’t a chair for you, bring your own chair.”
As an introvert, I used to question whether I belonged in certain spaces. But I learned that if you’re invited into a room, it’s because your expertise matters. Recently, I presented to a board, and I walked into that room as though I belonged there—because I did. They didn’t invite me by accident. That advice changed how I show up for myself.
What does inclusive leadership look like during moments of uncertainty?
Inclusive leadership is built on clarity, trust, honesty, and transparency. During uncertain times, people need both physical and psychological safety. They need to know they can ask questions, disagree respectfully, and share concerns without fear.
The leaders people follow are the ones who remain steady. They may not have all the answers, but they’re honest about what they know and confident enough to keep moving forward. When leaders create trust and stability, teams feel reassured that they can navigate uncertainty together.
What role does mentorship play in creating inclusive organizations?
Mentorship benefits both the mentor and the mentee. Mentors provide guidance, support, and perspective, while mentees drive the relationship by defining their goals and aspirations.
Formal mentorship programs create opportunities for people to learn from lived experience. Sometimes the most valuable lessons don’t come from a classroom or training session—they come from someone who has already walked the path you’re trying to navigate. If I can help someone avoid a mistake I made years ago, then I’ve done my job as a mentor.
How can mentorship help people build confidence?
Not everyone naturally feels confident enough to speak up or advocate for themselves. Mentorship creates a supportive environment where people can learn, grow, and gain confidence through encouragement and experience.
Having someone who believes in you and helps you navigate challenges can make all the difference. Mentors often become advocates who help people see strengths they may not yet recognize in themselves.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your work?
I want my legacy to be that I helped make the world more welcoming, more tolerant, and more positive.
One quote I live by is:
“The world only has one border. It’s called humanity. The differences between us are small compared to our shared humanity.”
If we focused more on what connects us rather than what separates us, we would create a more collaborative, compassionate, and inclusive world. That’s the impact I hope to leave behind.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Stop apologizing for being unique. Be yourself. You’re a beautiful, rare jewel. Own it, embrace it, and walk in your truth.
When you’re young, you spend so much time trying to fit in and please everyone around you. Confidence comes later through experience, challenges, and growth. Looking back, I would tell myself to stop doubting who I am and start celebrating it sooner.
Who do you admire most and why?
The person I admire most was my best friend and sister, Jackie.
She lost her life to cancer, but throughout her battle she remained one of the most thoughtful, loving, and generous people I’ve ever known. Even while fighting for her life, she was sending birthday gifts to my children and asking how everyone else was doing.
What I admired most was her grace, resilience, and unwavering kindness. She touched every person she met. In fact, people she met during treatment in Germany cared so deeply about her that they attended her funeral virtually from across the world.
She taught me what it means to live with courage, gratitude, and love.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from leaders you admire?
The strongest leaders create trust. They don’t pretend to have all the answers. They create safe spaces where people feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute. Leadership isn’t about having all the solutions—it’s about helping people move forward together, especially during difficult times.