In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Diana Hernández—a trailblazer, advocate, and proud native New Yorker—to unpack what’s truly possible when we challenge the old narratives about wealth, power, and community.

Diana and I revisit the moment over a decade ago when she, my professor at Columbia, first cracked open my mind to who gets to claim the words “wealthy” and “homeowner.” We dig into her journey: from rolling up her sleeves to rehab forgotten buildings in her community in the Bronx, to leading ground-breaking research on energy insecurity, a struggle affecting nearly half of U.S. households but so often hidden in shame and silence.

She shares how ambition isn’t just about accumulation, but about intention: about building until you feel satisfied, and then making space for others. We talk about her new book, Powerless, which not only names but illuminates the deep impact of energy insecurity and how it’s within our collective power to solve it.

If you’ve ever wondered how your story or your community fits in the bigger fight for justice, or how to know when “enough” is truly enough, this conversation is for you. Diana’s wisdom is a gentle invitation to reimagine what’s possible, grounded in lived experience and hope for change.

Let’s open ourselves to new possibilities, honor our own power, and hold space for the voices and solutions that have always existed within our communities.

About Dr. Diana Hernández:

Dr. Diana Hernández, a tenured Associate Professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, is the Founding Principal Investigator of the Energy Equity, Housing, and Health Program and co-Director of the Energy Opportunity Lab at the Center on Global Energy Policy.

Dr. Hernández is a pioneering sociologist and leading authority on energy insecurity, a concept she defined and operationalized through groundbreaking mixed-methods research. Rooted in community engagement and policy innovation, her work addresses systemic barriers to energy access for disadvantaged populations and tests promising interventions. She is author of Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy (with Jennifer Laird, Russell Sage, April 2025), the first major book on energy insecurity in the U.S.

Where to Find Dr. Diana Hernández:
Website: http://drdianahernandez.com
Instagram: @hotandcold_nyc
Book, Powerless: The People's Struggle for Energy: https://www.amazon.com/Powerless-Peoples-Struggle-Diana-Hern%C3%A1ndez/dp/087154914X

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On today’s episode, I’m speaking to my fellow women of color leaders, especially those who know what it’s like to endure toxic work environments or survive in predominantly white institutions. Maybe you’ve found yourself working twice as hard, navigating a maze of microaggressions, and watching others get promoted while you’re left doing the heavy lifting. And now, after finally landing in a position of power, or maybe even creating your own seat at the table, everything suddenly feels heavier than expected.

Let’s talk about overcorrection. I open up about the emotional labor, the struggle to avoid hierarchy at all costs, and how the desire to lead differently can sometimes backfire, leaving you and your team confused or burned out. Together, we unpack why these behaviors are not personal failures, but deeply human and understandable responses to the systems we’ve survived. The tools that protected us before aren’t always the ones that let us thrive now.

You’ll hear stories from my coaching practice, like the leader so committed to protecting her team she ended up isolated, and how clarity (not just care) was what everyone really needed. I walk us through real strategies for shifting from reaction to intention: leading with both empathy and direction, sharing power with structure, and building liberatory leadership rooted in justice and care.

If you’re feeling stuck, know you’re not alone. I invite you to listen in, breathe, and imagine: What could leadership look like if it was shaped by your values, not your wounds?

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In this mini companion episode, I speak directly to funders whose support is crucial for nonprofits doing equity and justice work—especially in this shifting and sometimes precarious political landscape. If you fund organizations working with communities of color, immigrants, coalitions, or environmental and racial justice causes—this one’s for you.

We’re not sugarcoating it: times are tough. Funders, you’re facing big choices. How you show up in 2025 will either reinforce the status quo or help reshape what’s possible for all of us. Drawing from insights by the Building Movement Project, I share five key leadership shifts nonprofits are making: from certainty to adaptability, individualism to collective power, authority to trust, perfectionism to experimentation, and productivity to well-being.

But here’s where clarity (and hope!) truly come in: your funding approach isn’t just about checklists or deliverables—it’s about building trust and resilience in the communities you care about. I invite you to consider concrete ways to support these shifts, like offering unrestricted, multi-year funding, resourcing well-being as essential, and fostering spaces for collaboration and learning.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure of your next move as a funder, let this episode light the path forward. I hope you walk away with clarity—and the courage to fund with care, empathy, and an eye toward liberation. Let’s reimagine what’s possible, together. And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and keep this conversation going.

Resources Mentioned:
Building Movement Project FAQ: https://email.buildingmovement.org/hubfs/FAQ%20for%20EOs.pdf?hsCtaAttrib=186681037124

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In today’s episode, I share the urgent shifts I believe are needed for leadership this year, especially in times that feel so uncertain and, at times, overwhelming. Together, we explore five key transformations that can keep our organizations, and our hearts, resilient and grounded.

I’m inviting you into a real conversation about moving from the illusion of certainty to bold adaptability, and from isolating individualism back into the collective power that has always been our roots. We talk about releasing old patterns of authority in favor of deep trust, and shifting from a place of ego to true transparency, vulnerability, and collaborative action.

You’ll hear coaching stories, from the leader frozen by losing funding, to the advocate burning out under pressure, and the manager who finally put rest at the heart of her culture. We get honest about perfectionism (aka fear in a cute dress), and the freedom that comes with giving ourselves and our teams permission to experiment, learn, and grow.

If you’re leading in nonprofit, social impact, or simply care deeply about community, this episode is for you. We name what’s hard, and we also tap into what’s possible. My hope is that you walk away feeling seen, less alone, and maybe even a little more courage to bring your people along for the journey.

I invite you to pause and reflect: Which leadership shifts are calling to you right now? And how might you show up, not perfectly, but powerfully, for your team and your community?

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In this episode of What We Made Possible, I delve into the struggles many leaders face with low morale in their teams. We've all been there, right? Like pulling everyone behind you while feeling utterly exhausted. But it doesn't have to be all about productivity. It's about genuinely caring for your people.

I'll share real-life coaching strategies and stories to help you to reenergize your team. We'll discuss: clear expectations where everyone knows what engagement means, moving from a task-checking mindset to meaningful check-ins, and giving feedback that fuels motivation rather than deflates it. It's been a game changer for the leaders I work with, and I hope it's the same for you.

So, how do you want your team to show up? Which of these small shifts resonates with you?

Let's shake off that morale slump and create a culture where people are excited to show up and do their best work.

If this episode hits home, I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, or reach out if you're ready to bring these strategies to life in your organization.

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On today’s episode of What We Made Possible, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own career pivot—from working in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) to becoming a full-time coach. We get into it: the reality of DEI being dismantled, the ways I’ve navigated change management and policy work to support supplier diversity, and why DEI was never about liberation—just harm reduction.

And with so many DEI roles being slashed, I’ve had to rethink my path too. From government to Broadway to coaching, I’m finding new ways to help people build spaces of their own.

This episode is for anyone wondering: What now? It’s about adapting, reimagining, and finding new ways to do the work—on our own terms. Join me as I share stories of resilience and possibility. Let’s dream beyond the tables we’ve fought to sit at—because what if we built our own? Tune in and let’s figure it out together.

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On today's episode, I dive into the story of how I faced imposter syndrome and lost $10,000 as a result.

Imposter syndrome isn’t an illness, but rather internalized oppression that tells us we don't belong, often when we're stepping into roles of greater power or transitioning into new environments.

I share my journey as I grappled with self-doubt while taking on a leadership position within an office of diversity in New York City government. Despite initially denying a promotion and second-guessing my abilities, I realized that I had been doing the work all along. It only took a nudge from my boss and a shift in my mindset to embrace my worth and step into the role confidently.

Let’s explore how self-belief can transform our opportunities, aligning ourselves with purpose. I invite you to reflect on your own experiences and ask, "Am I allowing imposter syndrome to hold me back?"

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On today's episode, I dive into the power of compassion, especially its role in leadership and social change. I believe that if we're trying to create a just world, we need to start by practicing compassion ourselves. This episode is packed with insights on how women of color can develop this crucial skill, despite the lack of examples in predominantly white institutions. I'll share personal anecdotes, debunk myths, and explain why compassion isn't just a foundational leadership skill. It's a way to resist harmful narratives and foster genuine connections.

I walk you through practical steps to build self-compassion and how to extend that compassion to others, turning adversaries into allies. Ultimately, compassion is about putting humans first, creating sustainable and impactful change, and building a world where we take care of each other. Let's explore these possibilities together and strengthen our communities with compassion.

If something resonated with you, I'd love for you to pause and reflect: What are you taking away, and what's possible for you and your community now? Please leave a review and rating; it helps so much. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

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