LeadingWhileWounded

Leading While Wounded is powerful, timely, and deeply needed. You have written a book that speaks directly to women who have navigated life’s complex journey while carrying wounds that others may never see, fully understand, or properly honor. As the Co-Founder and Chair of 48 Women, Arizona’s Most Intriguing Women, I have had the privilege of recognizing women whose lives reflect courage, resilience, leadership, and impact. I have seen firsthand that diverse women often lead while carrying private pain, unspoken burdens, and life experiences that have shaped them in profound ways. That is why your message is so important.

What makes Leading While Wounded so meaningful is that it does more than acknowledge wounds. It honors the resilience, courage, faith, and determination it takes to keep moving forward, to lead with purpose, and to rise in a world that has not always made room for women to be fully seen, heard, valued, or supported. This book arrives at the right time, as our workplaces, communities, families, and public conversations are being challenged to think more deeply about equity, belonging, healing, transformation, and the leadership of women.

I believe Leading While Wounded will help release, restore, and elevate women who have carried so much for so long, reminding them that their stories matter, their wounds do not disqualify them, their inherent value remains whole, and that trusting themselves through transformation is part of reclaiming their voices, experiences, and rightful place as leaders.

As a church leader serving in a denomination that wholeheartedly affirms and celebrates women in leadership, I highly recommend Leading While Wounded by Dr. Carlian Dawson and Dr. Evangeline Wangechi. This insightful and encouraging book addresses the unique challenges women face in leadership, including balancing relationships, navigating unrealistic expectations of perfection, and leading with authenticity and confidence. Grounded in faith and rich with practical tools for mental and emotional well-being, the authors provide wisdom that is both spiritually nurturing and professionally relevant. This book is a valuable resource for all women, especially women of color, who desire to lead effectively while remaining healthy, whole, and faithful to their calling.

I might add that it stretched me as a man to fully grasp the challenges women face in leadership, and if anything, the book helped me as I reflected at many situations past and present, in which I sat with women around the table in leadership settings in my own A/G fellowship. So, I thank you for that!

The authors of this book have made it clear that their objective is to develop the capacity for effective leadership while acknowledging personal wounds, thereby enabling leaders to transform challenges into sources of authentic strength. As a trained neuroscientist, I seek data to support innovative ideas. While I was reading this book, I found that each chapter focuses on integrating self-awareness and professional growth, encouraging leaders to consciously use not only data, but their experiences to enhance decision-making and create environments that build psychological safety where both leadership and healing can flourish.