The Vision Behind the Society
Leadership Salon Society was created for women who want to lead without losing themselves. Here, leadership is rooted in self‑trust, emotional steadiness, and the courage to hold high standards without apology. This community brings together women who value thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and the kind of growth that strengthens both confidence and wellbeing.
Our Origin Story
Leadership Salon Society began with a simple but powerful truth: women lead differently. We lead with intuition, with clarity, with compassion, and often without the support, recognition, or community that honors the full weight of what we carry.
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Throughout my own career, I witnessed both the best and the worst of leadership. I saw how women were overlooked, underestimated, or expected to shrink themselves to fit into spaces that were never designed for them. I also saw the extraordinary strength, wisdom, and resilience that women bring to every room they enter.
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The Society was born from a desire to create something different. A place where women could gather without pretense, share openly, learn from one another, and rise together. A place where leadership is defined by intention, not hierarchy. A place where women support women in ways that are genuine, generous, and deeply human.
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This is the community I needed earlier in my journey. Now, it is the community I am honored to build.
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Our Leadership Philosophy
Leadership, at its core, is an expression of who we are — not what we do. It is shaped by our values, our experiences, and the choices we make every day. At Leadership Salon Society, we believe leadership should be practiced with:
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Grace. The ability to navigate complexity with steadiness and compassion.
Clarity. The courage to make intentional decisions rooted in truth.
Integrity. The commitment to lead in ways that honor ourselves and others.
Connection. The understanding that leadership is strengthened through community, not isolation.
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We honor the idea that leadership is not a destination. It is a continual practice — one that evolves as we evolve.
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Founding Members
Leadership Salon Society is guided not only by its founder, but by a circle of women whose insight, support, and shared vision helped shape its foundation. Our founding members represent the spirit of the Society: women who lead with purpose, who uplift others, and who believe in the power of collective growth.
Michelle Hunter
Erika Thirkill
Linda Pierce
Executive Operations Leader
Program & Training Operations Leader
RN, BSN, Doctor of NaturopathyÂ
Founder & Community Director
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Area of Expertise: Strategic Operations • Program & Project Management • PMO Leadership • Executive Operations • Community Building
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Bio:
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Program & Project Management • Learning & Development • Training Operations • Stakeholder Engagement • Process Improvement & Organizational Effectiveness
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Bio:
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Doctor of Naturopathy • Preventive Health & Lifestyle Medicine • Women's Health & Vitality • Health Education & Public Speaking • Wellness Program Development
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Bio:
I believe leadership is one of the greatest opportunities we have to influence, encourage, and create positive change in the lives of others. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of leading teams, managing complex initiatives, building businesses, and supporting organizations through growth and transformation. No matter the role, I have always been most passionate about helping people recognize their strengths and reach their potential. Leadership Salon Society was born from a desire to create the kind of community I wished existed in many seasons of my own journey. A place where women could connect authentically, share experiences openly, learn from one another, and grow together without judgment or competition. My experiences have taught me the impact that both strong leadership and poor leadership can have on individuals, teams, and organizations, and those lessons continue to shape how I lead today. As Founder, my hope is that Leadership Salon Society becomes a trusted space where women feel seen, supported, challenged, and inspired. I am excited to learn alongside this community, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities for women to lead with confidence, purpose, and integrity.
I enjoy bringing people together, solving problems, and helping teams turn ideas into action. My professional background includes program and project management, training, and stakeholder engagement, but what I value most is creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and succeed together. I believe strong relationships, continuous learning, and a willingness to support one another are at the heart of great leadership. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to connecting with other women, sharing insights, and contributing to a community built on encouragement, collaboration, and growth.
My mission is to help people obtain their optimal wellness. Health is our first wealth. Our choices are often limited by our the information we’ve been given & our US medical system is limited by the choices that they’re allowed to offer. I am passionate about empowering people when it comes to their wellness. My knowledge about integrative health allows me to share information that people may not have been privy to before. This, in turn, allows individuals to make a more informed choice. Wellness involves addressing the whole person and includes such aspects such as nutrition, mental health/stress management, sleep, movement, & WISE supplementation. I enjoy providing groups with a holistic view of health topics. *Prevention is always far easier & cheaper than intervention.*
Lisa Smithson
Talent Acquisition Partner Professional
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Government Contracting • Recruiting • Technical Recruiting • Talent Acquisition • Sourcing
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Bio:
I am passionate about connecting talented people with meaningful opportunities and helping organizations build strong, successful teams. Throughout my career in talent acquisition and recruiting, I have focused on creating positive candidate experiences, building lasting relationships, and identifying talent that aligns with both organizational needs and individual goals. I believe people are at the heart of every successful organization. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to building connections, sharing insights, and contributing to a community where women can support one another, grow together, and thrive in their personal and professional journeys.
Rebecca "Becky" Williams
Arts Educator & Creative Facilitator
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Arts Education • Creative Learning & Youth Development • Community Engagement • Workshop Facilitation • Advocacy & Empowerment
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Bio:
I am passionate about creating opportunities for learning, creativity, and meaningful connection. Through arts education and community engagement, I strive to help young people discover their unique voices, build confidence, and develop the skills to express themselves in authentic and impactful ways. I believe creativity has the power to inspire growth, foster understanding, and bring people together. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to connecting with other women, sharing perspectives, and contributing to a community that values learning, empowerment, and positive change.
Jayanthi Janakiraman
Strategic Program Executive
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Business Transformation • Strategic Program Management • Executive Stakeholder Management • Cross-functional Team Leadership • Agile Transformation
Bio:
I am passionate about helping organizations and teams navigate change, transform challenges into opportunities, and achieve meaningful results. Throughout my career, I have led strategic programs and business transformation initiatives, bringing together diverse stakeholders, aligning priorities, and fostering collaboration to drive lasting impact. I believe that successful leadership is built on trust, adaptability, and a commitment to helping others succeed. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career have come from empowering teams, building strong relationships, and creating environments where people can do their best work. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to sharing experiences, learning from other accomplished women, and contributing to a community grounded in connection, growth, and mutual support.
Camilla Williams
Operations & Program Analysis Professional
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: Program Analysis • Strategic Planning & Coordination • Intelligence Operations Support • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Process Improvement
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Bio:
I enjoy bringing structure, organization, and thoughtful analysis to complex programs and initiatives. Throughout my career supporting federal and military organizations, I have focused on helping teams make informed decisions, improve processes, and accomplish mission objectives through collaboration and attention to detail. I believe meaningful leadership begins with integrity, continuous learning, and a willingness to serve others. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to connecting with accomplished women, sharing experiences, and contributing to a community that values growth, encouragement, and authentic leadership.
Christine Walker
Strategic Account & Partnership Leader
Founding Member
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Area of Expertise: National Account Strategy  • Government & Public Sector Accounts  • Strategic Partnerships  •  Business Development  Executive Relationship Management
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Bio:
I have spent more than 25 years building trusted relationships and helping organizations grow through strategic partnerships across government, construction, environmental services, financial services, and corporate industries. Professionally I thrive on developing lasting relationships and creating opportunities for growth. Outside of my corporate career, I recently fulfilled a long term dream of launching my own charcuterie business, Simply Charcuterie LLC, blending creativity hospitality and entrepreneurship into something I truly enjoy. As a Founding Member of Leadership Salon Society, I look forward to sharing my experience, learning from other accomplished women, and contributing to a community that values authentic leadership, meaningful connections, and professional growth.
If you are seeking a community where leadership is practiced with purpose, where women support women, and where growth is both personal and collective, you are welcome here. Leadership Salon Society is more than a membership, it is a movement toward intentional, empowered leadership.
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If this is the kind of leadership community you’ve been seeking, we invite you to step into the Society.
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The Society Today
What began as a vision has grown into a community of women committed to leading with intention and supporting one another with authenticity. The Society continues to evolve by expanding its offerings, deepening its conversations, and creating new opportunities for women to learn, grow, and lead with confidence.
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Here, women find not only resources and development, but a sense of belonging. A place to be seen, heard, and supported. A place to rise.