SHE Speaks

There are women of influence everywhere, and we are privileged on our Influential SHE journey to meet more every day. We constantly ask women to share their advice about how to be influential as a woman, and we share those nuggets of wisdom here.

Scroll over the pictures to learn from women who have become influential in their own right. Latch onto the statements that inspire you to further accelerate your own influence.

Your influence is rooted in the stories you tell yourself. So be kind.

Amy Skinner
Colorado
Communication Director Education Commission of the States

Embrace discomfort. When you are comfortable, you are not growing.

Katherine Bassett
New Jersey
CEO, Tall Poppy, LLC

It is critical to have confidence in your voice and surround yourself with other passionate leaders.

Angie Jerabek
Minnesota
Executive Director of BARR Center

If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

Heather
District of Columbia
Senior Analyst - George Washington University

Every failure is a lesson; learn what you need to and push forward to the solution.

Megan Peppenelli
North Carolina
Clinical Instrument Specialist at Miltenyi Biotec

"Fake it till you make it," meaning that you've got this, be confident, go in and figure it out.

Hannah Scherer
Minnesota
Strategic Partnership Director of BARR Center

There is a space for you to be who you are - your authentic you.

Simintha Esson
District of Columbia
Chief Development Officer, Council of Chief State School Officers

You will never betray yourself if you know what your values are and you live them every single day

Jennifer Blair
Kentucky
Life Coach, Speaker & Writer - Excavive

Look for multiple leaders you aspire to learn from and build your own team of mentors on the journey to becoming your unique InfluentialSHE - continuous learning and leading forward are key throughout this journey.

Lisa Brady Gill
Texas
National Education Consultant

If you’re honest about what makes you happy, you have a chance to be happy. If you’re not, you don’t have a chance.

Debbie Shore
District of Columbia
Co-founder - Share our Strength

Walk with purpose, speak what's true, and the rest will come

Abby Javurek
Oregon
Senior Director of Large Scale Assessment Solutions, NWEA

Tell the truth. There is never a need to resort to lies.

Anu Sharma
Minnesota
Senior Research Scientist, BARR

Being intentional is key to living your best life. Intentionality means living in a way that others see who you are and are influenced by it.

Terryl Caldwell
South Dakota
Former Chief US Probation/Pretrial Services Officer

Never underestimate your power to lift others up every single day- from a simple kindness to opening career doors.

Jane Berz
Tennessee
National Breast Center and Oncology Consultant

Be willing to see things differently.

Barbara Christenson
Oregon
Founder, Speak Well Being Group

Be excellent - and be proud of it! Do not hide your light under a bushel basket.

Jane Murray
Kansas
Owner Sastun Associates Functional Family Medicine

Women of ALL ages have lots to contribute and to learn from each other!

Martha King
Zambia
Peace Corp Volunteer & HIV Prevention Specialist

With self-confidence and accessibility, comes influence

Eileen Arbues
California
Chief Executive, n2o Group, Inc.

Travel as much as possible and as far as possible. The things you learn from those experiences are yet to be written and play out but will be so significant in your life.

Lilly Shapiro
District of Columbia
Marketing Director

My influence comes in supporting my organization through my strengths.

Ali Sipkins
Minnesota
Senior Executive Administrative Support

A women of influence understands who she is, why she was created and how she can help others on their own journey.

Kristen Paul
Illinois
Principal and Adjunct Professor

Understand the balance between the head and heart piece and how to play that out in ways that are productive and where you can keep your line of sight.

Vicki Phillips
Washington & District of Columbia
Chief Education Officer at the National Geographic Society

When “I” is replaced with “we” even illness becomes wellness.

Teresa Parker
South Dakota
Wellness Consultant

You are more powerful and capable than you can possibly imagine!

Sharon McFarland Burrus
California
Former CEO, Founder & Owner Emerita & Former CEO & CoFounder Women in Balance

Be proud of who you are, live your values, laugh often, and believe you can change the world.

Mary Corsello
Maine
Director of Research and Development, BARR