Understanding Our Leadership

Leadership is something that today continues to be thought of as static, as something you do or employ rather than a way of being in the world. Women are natural leaders, some would even believe that women are born that way. Whether women’s ‘natural’ leadership is nature or nurture, it is crucial to women’s psychosocial development that we are able to take up an authentic form of our leadership. This workshop explores and identifies various ways in which female entrepreneurial leadership can be part of our approach to life, a form of authentic leadership as we strive to find opportunities to improve and add value to our home, work, business, and community life. This is a form of leadership that takes others with us on our ongoing journey of personal and professional development. .

As a former mentee, and now as an adjunct supervisor, I have had the great fortune of experiencing Cecily’s exceptional ability to mentor others to excel in ways far exceeding their imaginings. During my own PhD candidature, Cecily provisioned me with the skills and vision to withstand a difficult and often despairing doctoral journey. Not only did her guidance and wisdom enable me to endure with my project and accomplish a highly sophisticated thesis, but, more profoundly, they facilitated a deep evolution of self. I came to value myself and the uniqueness of my personal story and experiences. And I came to value how these elements intersect with my personal power to think innovatively and to live confidently and joyfully in ways that honour my authentic energies and personhood. To walk such a journey with Cecily, is to come to earnestly desire to enable such empowerment for other women. Such is the special reach of Cecily’s formation and vision of others who take up the opportunity to learn from her guidance.

Rena MacLeod
PhD