Fix It: Your Leadership Solutions on Caregiving, AI, Financial Success

“The workplace is broken.”

W. Brad Johnson, founder and CEO of Workplace Allies, told a crowd at the recent Take The Lead Power Up Conference with great certainty that how caregivers eho are employees are treated must change.

Moderating the panel, “The Power of Care: Women Leading at Work and at Home,” Johnson said, “More than 73% in society identify as caregivers and we struggle with archaic norms. It is not an issue of ambition, it is a choice for self-preservation,” said the co-author with David Smith of Fair Share: How Men and Women Can Create a More Equitable Workplace Together; Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies For Women In The Workplace; Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women.

Sexual Violence, Sexual Assault at Work and More

The Cornell University case of violent rape of Jane Doe by seven undergraduate men calls attention to the historic and ongoing sexual violence crisis with 89% of victims who reported rape are girls and women. According to RAINN, two in three women experience sexual harassment at work on the street, on public transportation, at a bar, in a store, or anywhere someone uses sexual comments, gestures, or intimidation to make another person feel exposed, unsafe, or powerless. These numbers make clear why prevention, accountability, and survivor support must address the disproportionate harm experienced by girls and women, while recognizing that every survivor deserves care.

Read more here.

She Put On A Mask So AI Could See Her

A Black woman at MIT had to cover her face with a white mask before AI would admit she had one.

Her name is Joy Buolamwini. She was a graduate student at the MIT Media Lab, working with face-detection software that could not find her. When she held up a white mask, it could. She didn't shrug and move on. She investigated, and later told the story in her book Unmasking AI. I highly recommend it. I met her briefly when the book came out. I have not stopped seeing that mask.

Thank you for stepping into the room. Thank you for showing up with purpose, passion, and incredible audacity.
Thank you for making Power Up 2026 everything we envisioned and so much more.

The energy generated, the strategic connections made, and the bold conversations ignited across those two days in Washington, D.C. will echo far beyond the conference walls. What took place wasn't just a gathering of leaders; it was a movement in action. And your voice was essential to it.

Our deepest gratitude goes to our outstanding sponsors. Because of their steadfast investment in women's leadership and equity, this space was made possible.

Watch Take The Lead video here.

The Midlife Brain: How Perimenopause and Menopause Shape the Brain—and the Workplace

Virtual Symposium | October 21–22

Hosted by the Feminine Leadership Evolution Institute

Brain fog, forgetfulness, and disrupted sleep often show up right when women are leading teams, building companies, and moving toward the C-suite. Too often, women doubt their own competence, and workplaces mistake symptoms for performance issues.

Brain fog is a symptom. It's not a measure of competence.

Why it matters:

1 in 10 women working through menopause have left their jobs because of symptoms (Fawcett Society, 2022)
1 in 6 have considered leaving because of inadequate support (CIPD, 2023)
Two-thirds say symptoms hurt their concentration, stress, and confidence at work (CIPD, 2023)

Over two days, the symposium brings together neuroscience, clinical expertise, and lived experience to explore what's happening in the midlife brain, along with practical strategies to support and retain experienced women at work.

Who it's for: professionals navigating symptoms now, HR leaders ready to move from reactive to proactive support, and companies innovating in this space.

🎟️ Early bird: $69 through Oct 14. Use our code MBRAIN-TAKETHELEAD for 10% off.