What does it really take to lead as a woman in local government? Especially when the path wasn’t built with you in mind.

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Daly—retired city manager, former Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute, and recipient of the ICMA Distinguished Service Award—for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the realities women face in public service.

Karen shares what it was like coming up in a male-dominated field, the “unspoken rules” she had to learn along the way, and how she developed a leadership style rooted in authenticity and strength. We also talk about the tension between professional ambition and personal life, and what it takes to navigate both without losing yourself.

Her perspective is grounded, honest, and deeply encouraging for women who are leading—or aspiring to.

One of her most powerful messages?Trust yourself. Your voice, your instincts, and your way of leading are not something to tone down—they’re exactly what’s needed.

Whether you're in government, leadership, or simply growing into your next level, this conversation will challenge and support you in all the right ways.

What we cover:

• Navigating leadership in male-dominated environments• The “hidden game” many women aren’t told about• Building confidence and executive presence• Staying authentic under pressure• Balancing career and personal life• Supporting and advancing women in leadership

ABOUT Karen Daly

Karen Daly has 31 years of local government experience in Texas. She was the City Manager of Greenville and Hutto; the Assistant City Manager in Longview and Sugar Land; and worked in the City Manager’s Office in Arlington and the Executive Director’s Office at the North Central Texas Council of Governments. She served as the first Mountain Plains Regional Director for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for seven years after retiring.

Karen is the Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She recently was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from ICMA for her advocacy and work on women’s representation in cities. She has two Masters degrees from the University of Texas-Arlington.

She loves being a volunteer and doing tax preparation for low income persons and families. She is a proud mom of two grown feminists and a mostly-grown husband who is a musician. She is also a soccer player and has been playing since the sport was invented.

What does it really take to lead as a woman in local government? Especially when the path wasn’t built with you in mind.

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Daly—retired city manager, former Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute, and recipient of the ICMA Distinguished Service Award—for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the realities women face in public service.

Karen shares what it was like coming up in a male-dominated field, the “unspoken rules” she had to learn along the way, and how she developed a leadership style rooted in authenticity and strength. We also talk about the tension between professional ambition and personal life, and what it takes to navigate both without losing yourself.

Her perspective is grounded, honest, and deeply encouraging for women who are leading—or aspiring to.

One of her most powerful messages?Trust yourself. Your voice, your instincts, and your way of leading are not something to tone down—they’re exactly what’s needed.

Whether you're in government, leadership, or simply growing into your next level, this conversation will challenge and support you in all the right ways.

What we cover:

• Navigating leadership in male-dominated environments• The “hidden game” many women aren’t told about• Building confidence and executive presence• Staying authentic under pressure• Balancing career and personal life• Supporting and advancing women in leadership

ABOUT Karen Daly

Karen Daly has 31 years of local government experience in Texas. She was the City Manager of Greenville and Hutto; the Assistant City Manager in Longview and Sugar Land; and worked in the City Manager’s Office in Arlington and the Executive Director’s Office at the North Central Texas Council of Governments. She served as the first Mountain Plains Regional Director for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for seven years after retiring.

Karen is the Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She recently was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from ICMA for her advocacy and work on women’s representation in cities. She has two Masters degrees from the University of Texas-Arlington.

She loves being a volunteer and doing tax preparation for low income persons and families. She is a proud mom of two grown feminists and a mostly-grown husband who is a musician. She is also a soccer player and has been playing since the sport was invented.

In this deeply personal episode of Charging Up Leadership, I sit down with Brother Antony Julius Milton, a Capuchin priest whose path has taken him from life in Tamil Nadu, India, to a life as a Capuchin Brother, including a leadership role rooted in spirituality, humility, and authenticity.

We explore the heart of Synodal Leadership, and its commonalities (and differences) with Servant Leadership. We talk about what it truly means to walk with others, and the Church’s responsibility to a changing world. Brother Antony also shares his uncommon common link with Pope Leo XIV!

We discuss:

• Leading from the Best Version of YOU

• The power of authenticity in spiritual and public life--as well as leadership!

• Staying grounded and open

• The role of vulnerability and the trap of perfectionism

Whether you lead in ministry, government, business, or are simply trying to be a leader of yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership begins from within, and is deeply connected to your humanity.