Episode 5

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Published on:

2nd Sep 2023

Women in Leadership: Empowering the Next Generation of Inclusive Leaders with Dr. Femaine Brown & Eileen Scully

Women in Leadership: Empowering the Next Generation of Inclusive Leaders

In this inspiring episode of Room at the Table, host Betsy Cerulo is joined by Dr. Femaine Brown, Director of the Office of Human Capital for a federal government agency, and Eileen Scully, author of "In the Company of Men: How Women Can Succeed in a World Built Without Them." Together, they discuss the powerful journey of women in leadership, emphasizing inclusive workplaces, equity, and heart-centered leadership. Listeners will learn how women can overcome unique challenges, create meaningful impact, and foster a culture of mentorship and sponsorship that empowers the next generation of leaders.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction: Embracing equitable and inclusive workplaces.
  • (01:09) Dr. Femaine Brown's influential mentors and inspiring women in history.
  • (05:24) Eileen Scully’s approach to responsible leadership and knowledge sharing.
  • (07:06) Betsy's insights on information sharing and sustainable leadership.
  • (10:12) Personal and professional challenges faced by women in leadership roles.
  • (13:36) Navigating biases and barriers, especially for LGBTQ+ leaders.
  • (18:00) Supporting each other in women's networks and overcoming scarcity mindsets.
  • (21:12) Eileen's positive outlook on younger generations changing workplace dynamics.
  • (24:00) Importance of mentoring, sponsorship, and continuous learning.
  • (27:06) Coaching as a crucial tool for leadership growth and professional development.
  • (30:12) Final reflections and valuable advice for emerging female leaders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Inclusive Leadership: Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces requires intentional, empathetic leadership and open dialogue.
  • Mentorship & Sponsorship: Women leaders must proactively mentor and sponsor others to advance equitable opportunities.
  • Empowering Communication: Leaders who share information transparently build stronger, cohesive teams.
  • Embracing Authenticity: Genuine, authentic leadership fosters trust and supports sustainable workplace culture.

Resources & Links:

About the Guest:

Dr. Famane Brown is a highly accomplished leader and the Director of the Office of Human Capital for a federal government agency. She is also an established leader with a unique and varied skill set, including more than 20 years of experience as a State & Federal Contracting Professional, chief acquisition trainer and in addition a successful practitioner in leadership and management.

Dr. Brown has developed a leadership philosophy centered around creating inclusive, high-impact teams with a focus not just on filling requisitions, but coaching employees to be the best leaders possible.

Eileen Scully is the Founder and CEO of The Rising Tides, which works to make the workplace better for women. She is an international keynote speaker, and has shared her message with thousands of people, in audiences all over the world. Scully is also the author of In the Company of Men: How Women can Succeed in a World Built Without Them, which was published in 2019.

In 2021, Eileen was given the Rebuilder Award from the Irish Echo to recognize her work advancing women during the global pandemic. She was named a Belfast Homecoming Ambassador in October of 2020. In December of 2018, Eileen was named to Irish America Magazine’s 2018 Business 100 list, the second consecutive year she received this prestigious and deeply meaningful honor.


Tags:

Women in Leadership, Inclusive Workplaces, Heart-Centered Workplace, Equality, Mentorship, Sponsorship, Empowering Communication, Authentic Leadership, Equity, Workplace Culture, Professional Development, Dr. Femaine Brown, Eileen Scully, Betsy Cerulo, Room at the Table Podcast.



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About the Podcast

Room at the Table: Building Culture by Breaking Barriers
Gather around the table for conversations about creating equitable and inclusive workplaces where leaders rise above mediocrity and teams thrive.
Gather around the table for insightful conversations focused on building heart-centered workplaces that thrive on equality, inclusive workplaces, and exceptional leadership. Betsy Cerulo (she/her) and her expert guests explore what it takes to transform workplace culture through thoughtful, meaningful dialogues that drive real social impact.
Each engaging episode of Room at the Table Podcast gets to the core principles of creating a heart-centered workplace. Through inspiring conversations, listeners will discover the critical role that inclusive workplaces play in achieving equality and enhancing workplace culture. Betsy and her diverse guests share powerful strategies to help leaders rise above mediocrity, fostering an environment of genuine inclusivity and significant social impact.
Whether discussing compassionate leadership, the impact of inclusive workplaces on employee satisfaction, or addressing burnout and stress management, each episode emphasizes practical ways to cultivate a thriving workplace culture. Betsy’s expert guests provide tangible advice on how to implement meaningful changes that support both individual and organizational growth, reinforcing the values of equality and heart-centered leadership.

Listeners will find rich, actionable insights on fostering emotional authenticity, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting disability inclusion in inclusive workplaces. Each conversation highlights the transformative power of equality, effective leadership, and workplace culture that prioritizes empathy, respect, and community engagement.

Room at the Table also explores the powerful journeys of women in leadership, providing inspiration and guidance on how to break down barriers and achieve greater equality in the workplace. Episodes dedicated to navigating grief and loss underline the importance of compassion and understanding within heart-centered workplaces, reinforcing the value of empathy-driven leadership.

Economic empowerment and financial equality are also central themes, demonstrating how inclusive workplaces drive both organizational success and broader social impact. Leaders will gain valuable insights into leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to build sustainable, thriving organizations that positively impact communities.

Room at the Table Podcast is essential listening for leaders and team members dedicated to cultivating heart-centered workplaces. Betsy Cerulo and her expert guests offer clear pathways for creating inclusive workplaces where equality is prioritized, leadership is impactful, and the overall workplace culture significantly contributes to positive social impact.

Subscribe now to Room at the Table Podcast and join a growing community committed to equality, inclusive workplaces, and leadership that transforms workplace culture into environments of empowerment, empathy, and enduring social impact.

About the Host:

Betsy Cerulo is the CEO of AdNet/AccountNet, a successful certified LGBTE, WBE and 8(a) management consulting firm focused on professional staffing and executive search, based in Baltimore, Maryland, and Co-Founder of the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Betsy is the author of Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin, a children's book that was inspired by lighting up a dream for a child through their imagination. She is also a contributing author of two compilations: Women Living Consciously and Keys to Conscious Business Growth. Betsy lives in Baltimore with her wife, Susan, and their treasured Weimaraner, Grace Kelly. Their son and daughter-in-law, daughter, and three grandchildren complete the picture with lots of love, creativity, and laughter.

Company Website: https://www.adnetp3.com/
Personal Website: betsycerulo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsycerulo/
Shake it Off Leadership: https://books.google.ca/books/about/Shake_It_Off_Leadership.html?id=tZ3fxwEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description&redir_esc=y

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Robin Thompson