March 2026 Newsletter

April 8, 2026

Holding the Center: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty

In our recent Quorum Speaker Series conversation, Jennifer Brown, Leadership Evolution Expert, bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Will to Change podcast joined moderator Sarah McArthur, Executive Producer of Defining Moments, for a thoughtful exploration of what it means to lead during periods of breakdown, transition, and transformation.

Their discussion, “Holding the Center: Women Leading Through Breakdown, Transition, and What’s Being Born,” focused on the role leaders play when familiar structures are shifting and the future is still unfolding.

Jennifer shared insights from her new book, The Shape of Change: On Leadership, Resilience, and the Urgent Art of Becoming More Human Together, describing how leaders today must move beyond traditional command-and-control approaches toward leadership rooted in empathy, adaptability, and trust. Rather than viewing disruption as something to overcome quickly, she encouraged leaders to see it as a moment that can catalyze deeper growth — both personally and organizationally.

Sarah McArthur reflected on her work advising some of the world’s most respected leaders, noting that the ability to “hold the center” is not about having all the answers. Instead, it is about cultivating steadiness, listening deeply, and creating the conditions where new possibilities can emerge. Together, they explored how women leaders are helping shape a more collaborative and human-centered model of leadership — one that prioritizes curiosity, reflection, and connection during times of change.

For many participants, the conversation offered both reassurance and inspiration: leadership today is less about certainty and more about the courage to stay grounded while guiding others through transformation.

“Making Work Matter”
Intrapreneurship for Purpose and Positive Change

Featuring Nancy McGaw and Somi Kim at the HOW Women Create Change Forum 2025

What does it take to create change from within?

That question guided a powerful session on intrapreneurship featuring Nancy McGaw, former Senior Advisor at the Aspen Institute Business & Society Program, and Somi Kim, Strategic and Applied Design Leader and Aspen First Movers Fellow.

McGaw, author of “Making Work Matter: How to Create Positive Change and Meaning in Your Career” and founder of the Aspen First Movers Fellowship to empower “corporate social entrepreneurs,” described how innovation and personal purpose can coexist in business: “Effective intrapreneurs tap into what they do best, align it with what matters most, and take small, consistent steps toward change.”

Kim shared how the fellowship reintroduced her to the power of reflection—and even poetry—as tools for creative problem-solving and authentic connection. “Play and reflection open the door to curiosity and community,” she said. “They remind us why we care and what’s possible when we lead with purpose.”

Together, McGaw and Kim demonstrated that intrapreneurship isn’t about titles or hierarchy—it’s about making work matter by leading with humanity, curiosity, and courage.

Key Takeaways

Purpose + Profession: Aligning what you do best with what you value most drives meaningful innovation.
Reflection is Power: Taking time to pause, walk, write, or breathe cultivates resilience and clarity.
Community Sustains Change: Intrapreneurs thrive when they nurture spaces for connection, joy, and collaboration.

Welcome New Quorum Members!

Amanda Masters, Director of Programming, The Cooperage Project

Congratulations to Quorum Members!

Gurjot Sidhu on her new position as Chief Customer Insights & Analytics Officer, M&T Bank

An opportunity for Quorum members:

Quorum member and New York Chapter Co-chair Lynne Murphy-Rivera’s organization, The

Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants has their Executive Talent and Leadership industry event on April 27-28 in New York: the Global Summit on Leadership.

They offer an incredible line-up of thought leaders (McKinsey, Harvard Business School, EY) and sessions such as “How to Land Your First Board Seat” and so much more. Check out the agenda here: https://events.aesc.org/summit-americas/ Lynne is offering a deep discount just for Quorum women that will be available from Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3. Please reach out to either Diane or Lynne if you’d like to take advantage of this offer!