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.

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 in a changing world

• 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, andadeep connection to your humanity.

Why aren’t more women holding the top leadership role in local government?

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, to talk about his bold idea—the 16/50 Project—created to shift the statistics and change the trajectory for women in municipal leadership.

We explore what it really takes to become a City Manager, the mindset required to lead at that level, and why both tactical skills and executive presence matter more than ever. Dan also shares his leadership philosophy and why this work is so personal—and so necessary.

🎙️ In this conversation, we cover:

• The origin and impact of the 16/50 Project

• The evolving role—and pressure—of the modern City Manager

• The leadership gap between the #2 and #1 positions

• Dan’s take on what effective leadership looks like in today’s world

• How Michigan communities are changing as more women lead

If you're passionate about leadership, equity, and the future of local government—this episode will leave you inspired.

DAN GILMARTIN BIO:

Dan became the League’s seventh executive director in 2005 and its youngest leader in the organization’s long history. Through his work with communities, Dan is recognized as anational leader in urban policy and revitalization. He holds leadership roles with the National League of Cities and the international Placemaking Council. Dan is a co-author of two books on the economic importance of place and isfrequently quoted in state and national publications. Dan received the Diamond Award from is association peers in Michigan for his work as a strategic leader, and under his direction, the League is designated as a Top Workplace by theDetroit Free Press and as Most Effective Lobbying Organization in the state by a MIRS/WPIC-MRA Insider Survey. Dan is a lifelong Michigander and a Detroitnative (and booster), and currently resides in the historic downtown of Northville, Michigan, with his wife, Lori, and two sons.

What if the key to energized, authentic leadership isn’t found in a boardroom — but in a sound bath?

In this episode of Charging Up Leadership, we explore the power of vibration with Geoff Lamden — a musician turned sound healer turned entrepreneur behind Sacred Springs, the makers of sound-infused kombucha. Geoff’s path is anything but traditional, but his insight into presence, resonance, and rhythm offers a refreshingly grounded take on modern leadership.

Before he’s a business owner, Geoff is a human — and that foundational truth shapes how he leads, connects, and creates.

We explore:

• How Geoff’s journey from music to sound healing to kombucha creation reflects a deeply intuitive leadership style
• Why the Sacred Springs taproom was designed as a space for connection, expansion, and intentional community
• What “vibratory response” means in leadership — and how we can tune into the way people and systems react to our presence
• The concept of entrainment — how teams, like rhythms, sync up when strong leadership sets the tone
• How Geoff uses sound to read dissonance and consonance in the body — and what that teaches us about organizational harmony
• Leading from the “base self”: the power of showing up as human before professional
• How to stay in alignment with your values, intuition, and energetic presence — even while growing a business
• What it means to charge up leadership through resonance instead of force
• Why listening is a core leadership skill — not just to others, but to yourself and the energy of a space

This episode is an invitation to lead from the inside out — to trust the vibe you bring, the rhythm you move with, and the sound you leave behind.

Learn more about Geoff and Sacred Springs:
https://sacredsprings.com

BIO:

Geoff Lamden is a self-proclaimed pioneer in the exploration of sound and vibration as a healing tool for individuals and community. His music career started with putting his first band together in 1990 while in 8th grade. He has toured the nation and been in over 100 hundred bands since then. In 2014 he started his venture into sound healing with one-on-one sessions involving tuning forks, singing bowls, and didgeridoos which then lead him to small groups in yoga studio settings. In 2012 he started using vibration as a catalyst in his home brewing of kombucha. In 2016 he co-created Sacred Springs sound-infused kombucha company that grew quickly into distribution into over 500 stores in Michigan and surrounding states. In 2018 as they were about to go nationwide a choice was made to cut down production and focus on a small scale taproom facility that is still open to this day. Geoff has lead hundreds of musicians as well as a large and small staff of employees over the years. His focus is sustainability through authenticity of self and offers a place where employees, clients, and customers are encouraged to know themselves and take action from this place of feeling and knowing. His latest addition is holding space with his voice and sound creations in plant medicine ceremonies. His message is love and presence with an openness to be willing to listen first and then take action.

🎧 New Episode: Mariah Walton - "Her Ceiling is Now Her Floor"

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mariah Walton, City Manager of East Pointe, as she shares her leadership journey, transformation, the power of mentorship, the need for validation, and how she overcame internal biases to step into her full potential.

We dive into career transitions, women in leadership, and what it takes to navigate the world of local government with confidence, integrity, and personal power.

Mariah also discusses the huge impact of the MML "16/50 Project" program, how it impacted her personal life, and the shift in her own glass ceiling.

Listen now and get inspired to take charge of your leadership journey!

#Leadership #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #LocalGovernment #EmpoweredLeadership

In this episode, I sit down with the very real Tim Volkema, President of Schuil Coffee, Sparrows Coffee, and Joven Group, for a candid conversation on the powerful impact of authentic leadership. Tim shares insights from his diverse career, spanning both corporate and entrepreneurial experiences, where he has led with integrity, built strong relationships, and cultivated a company culture rooted in trust. We dive into embracing vulnerability, the perks (or "percs" ;)) of staying true to your values, and how authentic leadership can drive organizational success.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

*The unique challenges and opportunities of the coffee industry, and how Tim navigates this dynamic market. *Managing and working with diverse teams--leading people with varying skill sets and experiences. *The unique challenges and opportunities of the coffee industry, and how Tim navigates this dynamic market, in addition to supporting young growers. *Implementing change in a way that aligns with company values and ensures sustainable growth. *Tim’s role as a “bar raiser”, setting high standards, and fostering excellence within his teams. *The politics of the corporate world and how to navigate organizational dynamics with integrity. *Scaling organically, focusing on sustainable, values-driven growth, and growth through acquisition .

Tim's BIO:

Tim is currently the owner and CEO of Schuil Coffee in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a position he’s held since 2017. Schuil Coffee has distribution in hundreds of grocery stores, cafes, and offices through Michigan and the Midwest. Schuil Coffee also owns and operates the boutique Sparrows Coffee and Joven Coffee brands. Tim is also a certified Q Grader (the coffee equivalent of a sommelier).

Previously, Tim was an Operating Partner at The Windquest Group in Grand Rapids, where he focused primarily on portfolio operations and board governance. Prior to this role, Tim spent over 12 years leading businesses across a variety of industries. He ran the high-growth Wag.com pet business for Amazon, responsible for its top and bottom line results. Tim also served as an Amazon Bar Raiser—a leadership role within Amazon designed to improve its recruitment efforts. Prior to Amazon, Tim co-founded and ran a fast casual Indian restaurant/truck mini chain as its CEO, which won several awards including Best Meal under $15 in San Francisco. Prior to that, Tim spent five years at Kraft Foods, managing brands like Grey Poupon and Shake 'N Bake. Tim started his career with Deloitte’s Chicago office, working with clients on M&A transactions and bankruptcy reorganizations.

Tim received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School and his bachelor’s degree in economics from Calvin University.

Tim lives with his wife, Merideth, in Grand Rapids, and they have three children.