Welcome back to the Lead with Heart podcast. Today, I have Carmita Semaan, founder and CEO of the Surge Institute, on the podcast. The Surge Institute focuses on educating and developing leaders of color – who can then create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities. We talk about empowering leaders of color, creating a safe space for people to share their stories, uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization, and more. In this episode: [01:21] Carmita’s path to nonprofit leadership and why she founded the Surge Institute[06:03] Empowering leaders of color[11:46] Core leadership skills that involve both the head and the heart[15:23] Empowering leaders to drive change by listening to their communities[20:40] Creating a safe space for people to share their stories[28:16] Creating inclusive environments for diverse teams[33:45] Uncovering inclusivity gaps in your organization RESOURCES Episode 17: Empowering Nonprofits through Data Equity and Communication Strategies with Meenakshi Das CONNECT WITH CARMITA Carmita is a builder, creator, seer, and problem solver. Her expertise lies in supporting and elevating the genius of emerging and seasoned leaders - particularly women and people of color - and shining a light on the brilliance and ingenuity that is too often overlooked and untapped in solving systemic issues. She has spent nearly 20 years in executive leadership in nonprofit and socially-responsible organizations following engineering, global strategy, and marketing success in the private sector early in her career. Twitter: @CarmitaSemaan Instagram: @carmitasemaan LinkedIn: Carmita Semaan Website: surgeinstitute.org CONNECT WITH HALEY Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations. Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com