Zhenan Bao (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“When I think about leadership, I think service. Leadership, of course, can mean many different roles, but it is a service to the community and building culture and infrastructure so that everyone can be successful. I want to encourage people to take initiative to help to advance our community.

“I’ve been at Stanford for almost 20 years now, and as my career became more advanced, I started to take more leadership roles. My leadership style has developed through watching other leaders and practicing myself. I try to learn from what I like when other leaders handle certain situations and conflicts, and if I like it, I make a note and adapt that in my own situations.

“Also, I think one thing I’ve learned through my own experience is that there’s no fixed mode of an effective leader. Everyone can have their own style. The most important thing is to be authentic and true to yourself. We need to communicate so that people understand the goals and can get on board to contribute.

“Leadership is about listening and not being afraid to try new approaches. It can start with anyone. Responsibilities we take up during our study or in our work are paths to leadership.

“And leadership is rewarding. Give it a try when it feels right.”

Zhenan Bao is the K.K. Lee Professor in the School of Engineering and professor of chemical engineering, founder and director of the Stanford Wearable Electronics Initiative, and co-chair of the Taiwan Science and Technology Hub.

Zhenan Bao (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“When I think about leadership, I think service. Leadership, of course, can mean many different roles, but it is a service to the community and building culture and infrastructure so that everyone can be successful. I want to encourage people to take initiative to help to advance our community.

“I’ve been at Stanford for almost 20 years now, and as my career became more advanced, I started to take more leadership roles. My leadership style has developed through watching other leaders and practicing myself. I try to learn from what I like when other leaders handle certain situations and conflicts, and if I like it, I make a note and adapt that in my own situations.

“Also, I think one thing I’ve learned through my own experience is that there’s no fixed mode of an effective leader. Everyone can have their own style. The most important thing is to be authentic and true to yourself. We need to communicate so that people understand the goals and can get on board to contribute.

“Leadership is about listening and not being afraid to try new approaches. It can start with anyone. Responsibilities we take up during our study or in our work are paths to leadership.

“And leadership is rewarding. Give it a try when it feels right.”

Zhenan Bao is the K.K. Lee Professor in the School of Engineering and professor of chemical engineering, founder and director of the Stanford Wearable Electronics Initiative, and co-chair of the Taiwan Science and Technology Hub.

Andrea Rees Davies (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“Two words that come to mind when I think about women in leadership are ‘adaptability’ and ‘empathy.’ I feel surrounded by women who are incredible examples and have lifted the curtain around the mystery of what it takes to be a good leader and allowed me to learn a lot from their successes but also their mistakes, and I try to do the same thing for those that are coming up behind me. To have one woman leader at Stanford as a mentor would be enough, but I’m lucky to have a handful.

“I first came to Stanford in 2010 to work with the Clayman Institute for Gender Research. I taught a LGBTQ U.S. history class, and it really meant a lot to me because it was during my sophomore year of college that I came out as a lesbian. This was in the mid-1980s, and I would have so benefited from a course like the one I was teaching.

“I want people to know it’s possible to be genuinely happy taking a nontraditional career path. Right after college, I was a pastry chef, then a firefighter, then I went back to graduate school. It may seem that being a pastry chef, firefighting, and being a professor are all very different things, but I bring skills from each career to my current role. I’ve always known that each job offers a chance to learn, which helps me manage difficult situations with grace.

“Don’t forget where you came from, and don’t be afraid to be visible. But know that being comfortable with visibility comes from not being afraid to make mistakes.

“And, baking a tasty cookie for a colleague can go a long way in celebrating the joy of small victories.”

Andrea Rees Davies is managing director at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology.

Andrea Rees Davies (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“Two words that come to mind when I think about women in leadership are ‘adaptability’ and ‘empathy.’ I feel surrounded by women who are incredible examples and have lifted the curtain around the mystery of what it takes to be a good leader and allowed me to learn a lot from their successes but also their mistakes, and I try to do the same thing for those that are coming up behind me. To have one woman leader at Stanford as a mentor would be enough, but I’m lucky to have a handful.

“I first came to Stanford in 2010 to work with the Clayman Institute for Gender Research. I taught a LGBTQ U.S. history class, and it really meant a lot to me because it was during my sophomore year of college that I came out as a lesbian. This was in the mid-1980s, and I would have so benefited from a course like the one I was teaching.

“I want people to know it’s possible to be genuinely happy taking a nontraditional career path. Right after college, I was a pastry chef, then a firefighter, then I went back to graduate school. It may seem that being a pastry chef, firefighting, and being a professor are all very different things, but I bring skills from each career to my current role. I’ve always known that each job offers a chance to learn, which helps me manage difficult situations with grace.

“Don’t forget where you came from, and don’t be afraid to be visible. But know that being comfortable with visibility comes from not being afraid to make mistakes.

“And, baking a tasty cookie for a colleague can go a long way in celebrating the joy of small victories.”

Andrea Rees Davies is managing director at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology.

Lori Nishiura Mackenzie (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“When I was at the Clayman Institute, we started exploring programs for women leaders, and interestingly, the word ‘leadership’ often caused people to pause. What I discovered is that we have so many historical associations of men leaders, and women didn’t want to fit that mold. So we named our program ‘Voice and Influence.’

“Words really matter. With leadership, for example, many of the words we used are based on traditional ideas about leadership. This can create a disconnect between the way women show up and are described, and how leadership in general is described. So, I encourage folks to think more broadly about leadership, of collective traits and assertive driving traits. Leadership is about collective and individualistic strengths. We need to master the language of both.

“Gloria Steinem once said she chose to redefine leadership and focused on the word ‘kindness’ for her approach. Ever since then, I’ve chosen ‘generosity’ as my leadership approach. For me, that means if women need a hand, I try to say ‘yes’ more than I would if my schedule were dictating it, especially if it’s a woman of color or a woman facing other marginalizations.

“There’s a lot of research that women feel they’re more effective in negotiating for others than themselves. Our superpower lies in harnessing that power. If it feels better to you, think about the power of negotiating on behalf of the people, groups, and ideas that are important to you. Maybe it will help you be fiercer.”

Lori Nishiura Mackenzie is co-founder of the VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab and lead strategist for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Graduate School of Business.

Lori Nishiura Mackenzie (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“When I was at the Clayman Institute, we started exploring programs for women leaders, and interestingly, the word ‘leadership’ often caused people to pause. What I discovered is that we have so many historical associations of men leaders, and women didn’t want to fit that mold. So we named our program ‘Voice and Influence.’

“Words really matter. With leadership, for example, many of the words we used are based on traditional ideas about leadership. This can create a disconnect between the way women show up and are described, and how leadership in general is described. So, I encourage folks to think more broadly about leadership, of collective traits and assertive driving traits. Leadership is about collective and individualistic strengths. We need to master the language of both.

“Gloria Steinem once said she chose to redefine leadership and focused on the word ‘kindness’ for her approach. Ever since then, I’ve chosen ‘generosity’ as my leadership approach. For me, that means if women need a hand, I try to say ‘yes’ more than I would if my schedule were dictating it, especially if it’s a woman of color or a woman facing other marginalizations.

“There’s a lot of research that women feel they’re more effective in negotiating for others than themselves. Our superpower lies in harnessing that power. If it feels better to you, think about the power of negotiating on behalf of the people, groups, and ideas that are important to you. Maybe it will help you be fiercer.”

Lori Nishiura Mackenzie is co-founder of the VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab and lead strategist for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Graduate School of Business.

Faith Kazmi (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“The concept of women in leadership has grown and changed over time, and I am honored and blessed to work with students who identify as women or gender expansive and are leaders in their own right. As college students, it’s a really transformative time, not only for them but for the world. We’re getting to see in real time how things are changing.

“For me, what a woman is and what a woman can do started with my mom. She was the first in her family to come here from the Philippines. She was widowed when she had two kids under the age of 2, and she navigated this world seemingly effortlessly but also fiercely.

“I have a picture book coming out in 2024 called Box of Dreams, and in it, a mother and daughter are packing a balikbayan box, which in Filipino culture is a box sent home filled with school supplies, clothes, chocolate, and American goods. Before they close the box, the daughter adds a wish to someday go to the Philippines. It’s a love letter to our immigrant parents, and it’s a mother sharing her story with her daughter.

“Since starting at the WCC in 2005, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about their journeys in leadership over the years, and while there are a lot of places to draw inspiration from, embracing leadership is honing the ability to listen to yourself. When you really practice knowing what matters and what is in alignment with what you think, then even if things go wrong, you can still say you made decisions and did things with authenticity.”

Faith Kazmi is interim assistant vice provost for inclusion and community and associate dean and director of the Women’s Community Center.

Faith Kazmi (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“The concept of women in leadership has grown and changed over time, and I am honored and blessed to work with students who identify as women or gender expansive and are leaders in their own right. As college students, it’s a really transformative time, not only for them but for the world. We’re getting to see in real time how things are changing.

“For me, what a woman is and what a woman can do started with my mom. She was the first in her family to come here from the Philippines. She was widowed when she had two kids under the age of 2, and she navigated this world seemingly effortlessly but also fiercely.

“I have a picture book coming out in 2024 called Box of Dreams, and in it, a mother and daughter are packing a balikbayan box, which in Filipino culture is a box sent home filled with school supplies, clothes, chocolate, and American goods. Before they close the box, the daughter adds a wish to someday go to the Philippines. It’s a love letter to our immigrant parents, and it’s a mother sharing her story with her daughter.

“Since starting at the WCC in 2005, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about their journeys in leadership over the years, and while there are a lot of places to draw inspiration from, embracing leadership is honing the ability to listen to yourself. When you really practice knowing what matters and what is in alignment with what you think, then even if things go wrong, you can still say you made decisions and did things with authenticity.”

Faith Kazmi is interim assistant vice provost for inclusion and community and associate dean and director of the Women’s Community Center.

Ximena Sanchez Martinez (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“As someone who is community-oriented, when I think about women in leadership, I think of community. It’s prioritizing what other members want to do, not just what you want to do. I definitely have ideas, but I want to make sure everyone has a voice at the table. As part of the Boys & Girls Club, I get to see a lot of women involved in positions that give back to the community. Women bring care, empathy, an understanding of the needs in a community, and a passion for doing something for the community.

“In Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., we think a lot about giving back to the community, and most recently, that was creating self-care kits for local high school seniors. They’re applying for college, and they’re getting decisions, whether acceptances, rejections, or being waitlisted, and we remember how stressful that was, so we made them self-care kits. We’ve also created individualized menstrual kits on campus. To me, it’s about seeing the need and where we can help.

“My understanding of leadership began in high school. I was part of the Sequoia High School Dream Club, which focuses on building a safe community for immigrant and undocumented students. At Stanford as a first-generation student, FLIP [First Generation/Low Income Partnership student group] provided me that space to feel safe and in community. For FLI students, in particular, having a welcoming and understanding place is important.

“I want to remind other women that you don’t have to be perfect, there are many aspects of leadership that I still struggle with. Building community can be difficult, and it can be hard to get everyone together. But it doesn’t have to be perfect. Do what works for you and what’s best for the community.”

Ximena Sanchez Martinez, Class of ’23, is president of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.; co-president of Comunidad for Health Equity; and executive director of Phoenix Scholars.

Ximena Sanchez Martinez (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“As someone who is community-oriented, when I think about women in leadership, I think of community. It’s prioritizing what other members want to do, not just what you want to do. I definitely have ideas, but I want to make sure everyone has a voice at the table. As part of the Boys & Girls Club, I get to see a lot of women involved in positions that give back to the community. Women bring care, empathy, an understanding of the needs in a community, and a passion for doing something for the community.

“In Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., we think a lot about giving back to the community, and most recently, that was creating self-care kits for local high school seniors. They’re applying for college, and they’re getting decisions, whether acceptances, rejections, or being waitlisted, and we remember how stressful that was, so we made them self-care kits. We’ve also created individualized menstrual kits on campus. To me, it’s about seeing the need and where we can help.

“My understanding of leadership began in high school. I was part of the Sequoia High School Dream Club, which focuses on building a safe community for immigrant and undocumented students. At Stanford as a first-generation student, FLIP [First Generation/Low Income Partnership student group] provided me that space to feel safe and in community. For FLI students, in particular, having a welcoming and understanding place is important.

“I want to remind other women that you don’t have to be perfect, there are many aspects of leadership that I still struggle with. Building community can be difficult, and it can be hard to get everyone together. But it doesn’t have to be perfect. Do what works for you and what’s best for the community.”

Ximena Sanchez Martinez, Class of ’23, is president of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.; co-president of Comunidad for Health Equity; and executive director of Phoenix Scholars.

Rania Awaad (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“The idea of women in leadership sits very close to my heart. And when I think about women leaders, I think about the many women who have shared an immense role in shaping who I am today, both in my current professional life and also in my personal and spiritual life.

“Women lead in such beautiful and gentle but purposeful ways. A leader is somebody who has taken even just a few steps before you on the path, but they’ve been able to ‘send the elevator’ back down to help you get where you need to go. Something one of my spiritual teachers often says is, ‘teach them and free them,’ which is the idea that you’re there to teach and pay forward what you have been given.

“I have medical training, but I also have theological and spiritual training, and I’m really big on holistic healing and holistic care. For people who come from a spiritual or faith background, it’s really hard to bring your whole self to the work you do if some part of that is missing. Now, some of the work I do in my lab and research is allowing folks to bring those intersectional identities into the work they’re doing.

“For a long time, I’ve joked that I’m an accidental leader. And I think some of the most effective leaders are those who it landed in their laps. But it’s about learning how to listen to other people, learning different personality types and how to work with them.

“Sometimes I see women in leadership burn out and burn out quickly. I’ve learned it – probably the hard way – but ask for help, whether it’s professional, mental and emotional, or spiritual help.”

Rania Awaad is clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral Sciences, director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, and affiliate chaplain in the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Rania Awaad (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

“The idea of women in leadership sits very close to my heart. And when I think about women leaders, I think about the many women who have shared an immense role in shaping who I am today, both in my current professional life and also in my personal and spiritual life.

“Women lead in such beautiful and gentle but purposeful ways. A leader is somebody who has taken even just a few steps before you on the path, but they’ve been able to ‘send the elevator’ back down to help you get where you need to go. Something one of my spiritual teachers often says is, ‘teach them and free them,’ which is the idea that you’re there to teach and pay forward what you have been given.

“I have medical training, but I also have theological and spiritual training, and I’m really big on holistic healing and holistic care. For people who come from a spiritual or faith background, it’s really hard to bring your whole self to the work you do if some part of that is missing. Now, some of the work I do in my lab and research is allowing folks to bring those intersectional identities into the work they’re doing.

“For a long time, I’ve joked that I’m an accidental leader. And I think some of the most effective leaders are those who it landed in their laps. But it’s about learning how to listen to other people, learning different personality types and how to work with them.

“Sometimes I see women in leadership burn out and burn out quickly. I’ve learned it – probably the hard way – but ask for help, whether it’s professional, mental and emotional, or spiritual help.”

Rania Awaad is clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral Sciences, director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, and affiliate chaplain in the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life.