The Impact Center

Many high achievers can be quite tough on themselves - they may even attribute their success in large part to their high standards! But instead of expecting perfection in all that we do, what are healthier, more sustainable approaches to meeting our personal and professional goals?

Dealing with Perfectionism A conversation with psychologist Ellen Hendriksen on being your own worst critic.

✨ ✨ Maya Enista-Smith, a 2012 Alum of the Women's Executive Leadership Program, was featured in a story about her idea to form the Lamorinda Care Collective, an initiative that provides essential items to community members in need during the holiday season.

East Bay group gets charitable holiday operation up and running in less than 2 months At the Lamorinda Care Collective, those in need are welcome to take what they need this holiday season.

How many listening "types" can you identify? By introducing some more intentionality into the way we listen to others, we can take our listening skills to the next level and become better communicators:

9 Types Of Listening: How To Be A Better Communicator Learn how to master the nine different types of listening skills, which include critical and empathetic, to become a better listener and communicator.

By being thoughtful and even creative in how you provide support for team members going through difficult times, you can build trust and create a more inclusive and empathetic team culture. Read more here:

How managers can support team members when they’re going through a difficult time These are the things that managers should do when their employees are going through a personal challenge at work.

The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) framework can play a major role in illuminating the path toward your goals. See here to learn how you can conduct your own personal SWOT analysis:

Personal SWOT Analysis Examples: How To Achieve Your Goals Leverage these personal SWOT analysis examples to inspire how you work toward achieving your career goals. Here’s how to use your analysis for success.

Executive coaching sessions create the perfect setting for deep retrospection, especially at the end of different chapters of your personal and professional journeys. Prepare for new beginnings with an executive coach who will provide you with the perspective and clarity you're seeking:

Executive Coaching — The Impact Center Meet one-on-one with an executive coach through The Impact Center to navigate challenges and grow as a leader.

✨ ✨ Aisha Lawrey, an American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador and 2018 Women's Executive Leadership Program Alum, was announced to be the co-host of the newly launched podcast Ignition Sequence, which "features captivating conversations with leading experts, thinkers, and explorers at the intersection of science, technology, and culture."

Aisha Lawrey - Engineer, IF/THEN STEM Ambassador & Our New Co-Host! by Ignition Sequence How does one pivot from aspiring lawyer to pioneering engineer while breaking barriers and building bridges in STEM education? Meet Aisha Lawrey, the new co-host of Ignition Sequence, a trailblazing electrical engineer, and passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in science and technology. I...

Being able to bounce back from disappointing setbacks is a critical trait that sets us up for success. Of course, it's easier said than done! Check out these tips for how we can learn, improve, and grow from these moments:

How To Rebuild Your Confidence After A Setback At Work Recovering from a setback at work? Learn effective strategies to rebuild your confidence and regain your momentum, helping you move forward with renewed self-assurance.

✨ ✨ Amita Vyas, Associate Professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health, Director for the Milken Institute School of Public Health's Maternal and Child Health program, and a 2012 Alum of our Women's Executive Leadership Program, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the March of Dimes' Heroines of DC Gala.

Heroines of Washington Join us for our special event!

When you're one of the newest members of a professional group, you might be concerned about your ability to build meaningful connections with your fellow peers. Check out these action steps to make your entry into the group less daunting:

Joining a Professional Group Where Everyone Already Knows Each Other Even for experienced professionals, it can feel intimidating to join a new professional group or association — especially if you discover that you’re practically the only new member and everyone else already seems to know each other. How can you break in and build relationships when no one else ...

✨ ✨ Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, a 2011 Alum of our Women's Executive Leadership Program, has been named as the Public Health Accreditation Board's new President and CEO

PHAB Names Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, As New President and CEO Renowned Public Health Leader to Drive Transformational Efforts to Strengthen Public Health Infrastructure and Accreditation Nationwide...

How can we break out of the cognitive distortions that heighten anxiety and impede progress? See here for simple but powerful strategies for high-achieving individuals seeking a more sustainable perspective on their work and success:

A psychologist reveals 5 essential mindset shifts for anxious high achievers A practical guide of science-backed strategies for cutting loose the cognitive distortions holding high achievers back.

Join The Impact Center!

Exciting News: The Impact Center is hiring a Programs Manager! Learn more and apply here today:

Job Opportunities — The Impact Center The Impact Center is a premier nonprofit leadership development organization that helps leaders achieve the impact they are seeking within themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Our signature Women’s Executive Leadership Program helps women from a wide variety of fields thrive professio...

It's no secret that mentors can have a transformative impact on your personal and professional journey! The most fruitful mentoring relationships call for authenticity and intentionality from everyone involved. Check out these tips for finding the right mentor for you:

8 Simple Strategies For Finding The Right Mentor Looking for the right mentor? Find 8 simple strategies to build authentic connections, leverage your network, and cultivate meaningful mentoring relationships.

It sometimes feels as if pessimism or cynicism are considered to be more grounded, intellectual responses to challenging circumstances. But what if we considered the energizing and productive possibilities of hope?

The Strategic Power of Hope Negativity attracts attention and is often equated with intelligence, so it’s no surprise that leaders often feel they need to focus on what might go wrong. That kind of defensive posture can be helpful, in that it allows leaders and organizations to detect problems and threats, but it can also na...

Have you ever reached a major goal only for it to feel a bit underwhelming? See here to learn about the "arrival fallacy" and the steps we can take to change our approach to success so that the process of accomplishing goals feels just as satisfying as the destination:

Feeling disappointed after reaching a big goal? How I overcame the ‘arrival fallacy’ Fighting the arrival fallacy is about embracing the process and not just the outcome. Here’s what’s worked for me.

Ruti Smithline, Partner at Morrison Foerster, was named on Latinvex's annual list of Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers and its 2024 list of Latin America’s Top 100 Female Lawyers:

Morrison Foerster’s Latin America Desk Continues to be Recognized as Market Leader | Morrison Foerster Morrison Foerster’s cross-disciplinary Latin America Desk has recently been named a market leader by several publications,...

Practicing a gratitude mindset at work has a wide range of benefits for both your personal well-being and your workplace culture. Check out these practical strategies for cultivating "attitude of gratitude":

Gratitude at Work: Don’t Hate, Appreciate! There’s no need to be disgruntled. Here’s how gratitude at work can change your life for the better.