42. We are feminist leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook

Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations

Episode 42: We Are Feminist Leaders with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook

Do you ever feel conflicted by traditional leadership models that don’t align with your values? Are you curious about how feminist principles can transform the way we approach leadership, especially in the humanitarian sector?

In today’s episode of Embodying Change, host Melissa Pitotti sits down with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook, founders of We Are Feminist Leaders. Leila and Natalie share their journey from feeling disillusioned by patriarchal and colonial leadership structures to creating a transformative program that empowers leaders to bring about genuine change. You’ll hear about the practical applications of feminist leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the power of community and continuous learning.

If you're passionate about making a difference and leading with your values, this episode will inspire you and provide actionable insights into embodying change in your own life and work.

Today’s Guests

Leila Billing and Natalie Brook

Leila Billing and Natalie Brook are the visionary founders of We Are Feminist Leaders, an organization dedicated to fostering feminist leadership in humanitarian and development sectors. Through their 12-week online program and new membership learning network, they empower leaders to challenge traditional power structures, embrace intersectionality, and cultivate caring, inclusive work environments. Leila and Natalie draw inspiration from feminist movements around the world, particularly from the Global Majority, and aim to decentralize Western-centric leadership models. You can check out their bios here.

Website: wearefeministleaders.com

Social Media: Instagram and LinkedIn

You’ll learn:

• What it means to embody change in the humanitarian sector
• The importance of self-awareness and transformation in feminist leadership
• How patriarchal and colonial dynamics affect traditional leadership models
• Practical applications of feminist leadership in various contexts
• The power of community and continuous learning in driving change
• Real-life examples of participants applying feminist leadership principles

Resources Mentioned

• We Are Feminist Leaders Website: wearefeministleaders.com
• Course information and registration: HERE
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Available on their website for regular updates and resources HERE
• Social Media: Follow We Are Feminist Leaders on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Quotes

• “For me, embodying change means thinking through how we want to show up in this moment, whether we’re humanitarians or not.” – Leila Billing
• “Feminist leadership starts with the self and requires a long-term commitment to developing self-awareness and the willingness to learn and unlearn.” – Natalie Brook

Call to Action

• Subscribe to the Embodying Change podcast for more inspiring conversations.
• Visit wearefeministleaders.com to learn more about Leila and Natalie’s work and to sign up for their upcoming 12-week course starting in September and newsletter.