Empowering Women in Leadership: Insights from CEO Elissa Sangster

In this episode of the "Work From Your Happy Place" podcast, host Belinda Ellsworth interviews Elissa Sangster, the CEO of Forte, an organization dedicated to empowering women in business. In this inspiring episode, Elissa shares her insights on taking ownership of your career, advocating for your professional development, and embracing change to achieve success. Elissa stresses the importance of evaluating what is important to you and defining your own criteria for success. She encourages listeners to make changes and take action when necessary, without fear. For women, success often includes factors beyond title and pay, such as proximity to home, flexibility, and a supportive network. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and strategies for listeners to take control of their career paths and emphasizes the importance of support, mentorship, and advocacy for women in business. Join Belinda’s membership program and discover the art of creating and sharing amazing experiences with like-minded people, all from the comfort of your own home. You get to connect with others online, learn new skills and techniques, and grow your network without ever having to leave your computer screen. To know more, click on the link https://workfromyourhappyplace.com/vip/ Key Learnings: [03:18] Importance of being proactive in career discussions and goal-setting. [05:50] Understanding the difference between mentors and sponsors. [08:34] Evaluating your criteria for success and being willing to make changes when necessary. [16:41] Building enduring relationships, retaining partners, joining and connecting. [29:54] The importance of market-driven concepts and aligning goals with the target audience. About the Elissa Sangster - Elissa Sangster's career took a significant turn after earning her MBA from Texas A&M University. She joined the admissions team at her alma mater, where she discovered a supportive community of admissions professionals from universities worldwide. This network inspired her to pursue a career in higher education administration. Elissa later moved to the University of Texas at Austin, where she played a crucial role in developing the alumni community for the MBA program. Over the course of ten years, she served as an assistant dean, overseeing all aspects of the MBA program. During this time, Elissa was invited to join a working group focused on understanding the barriers preventing women from pursuing business leadership and entering MBA programs. This experience led her to develop a business plan for an organization dedicated to supporting women in business. Eventually, Elissa became the CEO of Forte, an organization that empowers women in business and has grown significantly under her leadership. Starting with just $200,000 in funding, Forte now boasts 37 employees, over 170 corporate school partners, and generates approximately $7 million in revenue. Elissa's passion for education and dedication to gender equality have made her a prominent figure in the business world. How to connect with Elissa Sangster: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissaellissangster/ Website - https://www.fortefoundation.org/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/elissasangster About the Host: Belinda Ellsworth is a Speaker, Trainer, Best-Selling Author, and Podcaster She has been a professional speaker, mover, and shaker for more than 25 years. Having built three successful companies, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make better decisions, create successful systems, and build business strategies using her "Four Pillars of Success" system. Belinda has always had a passion and zest for life with the skill for turning dreams into reality. How to Connect with Belinda: Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/workfromyourhappyplace LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindaellsworth Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/workfromyourhappyplace/ Website - www.workfromyourhappyplace.com