Faith, Fire, & Leading Through Change: Marisa Williams
“MY TITLE IS RENTED, MY CHARACTER IS NOT.”
Episode Description
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Marisa Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys, joins host Kaylee Thomsen for a powerful conversation on faith, authenticity, and leading through change. Marisa shares how belief has shaped her leadership journey, why she chose to wear her hair curly to work as an act of unapologetic authenticity, and how responding instead of reacting has become central to her leadership philosophy. She also reflects on leading through crisis, the difference between change and transformation, and how her mother modeled speaking truth to power. If you believe great leadership starts with knowing who you are, this one is for you.
Chapters
- 00:00 Intro: Meet Marisa Williams
- 01:19 What Lights Her Up: Being an Architect of Hope
- 03:10 Her Morning Routine With Her Husband
- 06:47 Moving to Minnesota on Faith Alone
- 09:29 Being Positioned as "the Carrot" for Girl Scouts
- 11:11 Becoming Who You're Meant to Be
- 11:44 The Pool Party and the Decision to Wear Her Hair Curly
- 15:00 Adversity as the Cost of Advancement
- 16:35 Becoming a Leader at 21
- 19:08 Leading Without Being the Most Seasoned in the Room
- 20:06 The One Unmovable Thing: Her Faith
- 22:20 Doing What's Right, Not Just the Right Thing
- 24:38 Leading Layoffs With Care
- 25:02 Learning to Respond Instead of React
- 30:23 A Budget Decision She Wouldn't Compromise On
- 33:55 Character as a Title You Don't Rent
- 37:26 Staying Herself Through COVID and Metro Surge
- 38:09 Keeping a Food Bank Open During COVID
- 40:10 Learning Leadership From Her Mother
- 42:14 Speaking Up for a Black History Program in Middle School
- 44:00 A Conversation With Valerie Jarrett About Joy
- 46:16 Founding Girlfriends Who Flourish
- 48:32 Final Question: Her Girl Scout Cookie Pick
More In The Series
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