As leaders, we often focus on the needs of our teams and organizations, sometimes at the cost of our own well-being. But true leadership requires more than just outward success; it demands inner strength, balance, and resilience. According to Lucress Irizarry, "The essence of self-care lies in recognizing that we must replenish ourselves regularly to sustain the energy and passion that leadership demands."
This masterclass is a timely and necessary gathering for leaders across the globe to explore what it means to reclaim rest and self-care not as indulgence but as essential tools for sustaining long-term leadership effectiveness.
Grounded in B-WEL’s four dimensions of power, this masterclass centers on ‘Power From Within’: building inner confidence, clarity, self-awareness, and motivation to excel and lead.
This is not just a conversation, it is a call to collectively imagine a new reality where Black women leaders are deeply rested, unapologetically cared for, and fully resourced from within.
Moderated by:
Dr. Nokuthula Mchunu is the Director at National Research Foundation in South Africa, where she oversees International Bilateral and Multilateral Collaboration between NRF (South Africa) and Global Partners. Previously, Nokuthula was the Deputy Director of the African Open Science Platform, hosted by the National Research Foundation in South Africa. With a strong background in science communication and academic outreach, she has led initiatives to popularize STEM within local communities. Nokuthula holds a PhD in fungal genomics and previously spent over 15 years as a senior scholar in the Department of Biotechnology at the Durban University of Technology. She has conducted research and served as a scientist in institutions across the U.S., Sweden, China, and Malaysia, and was the first recipient of the Young Scientist Programme between China and South Africa. Her research spans COVID-19 surveillance, fungal genetics, cannabis, and African legume genomics.
Featuring powerhouse speakers:
Manuela holds a degree in Business Administration from FEA-USP and a master’s in Communication from ECA-USP. With a multifaceted professional background, she has worked across the fields of communication and operations, gaining experience in technology consulting, media, and philanthropy. She is currently the Executive Director and co-founder of the Observatory of Whiteness, where she continues to lead critical conversations and work on racial equity in Brazil.
Teresa C. Younger is an activist, advocate, renowned public speaker, and proven leader in both the philanthropic and policy sectors. For over 20 years, she has been on the frontlines of critical movements for comprehensive equity and the elimination of institutionalized oppression. She currently serves as the President and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women. Prior to this, she was the executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut making history as both the first African American and the first woman to hold that position and also led the Connecticut General Assembly’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. Teresa is a respected thought leader at the intersection of race and gender, actively shaping the philanthropic landscape through her involvement with the Women’s Funding Network, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, Funders for Reproductive Equity, Philanthropy New York, and the Black Girls Freedom Fund. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, holds an honorary doctorate from the University of New Haven, and was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. She is also a proud lifetime Girl Scout and Gold Award recipient.
Rhaea Russell-Cartwright is the Director of Racial Justice and Equalities at Oxfam GB and holds 10 years' experience in the international aid and development sector. Leading the Racial Justice team to develop and improve internal policy, contributing to the development of programme standards and providing strategic advice to support the delivery of racial justice and decolonisation initiatives across the organisation. Rhaea holds a LLM in Human Rights from the University of Nottingham and is a trustee of the Arts educational charity Mandala.
